How can museums involve vulnerable communities?
Bass Museum of Art in Miami developed Creativity in the Community: a programme designed to encourage active participation through education in the vulnerable communities that surround it.
Creating a safe space
Creativity in the Community focuses on families from five vulnerable communities. Social and economic disadvantages mean these communities have limited access to cultural facilities. This is why the Bass Museum in Miami asked them what they needed from an art museum. Together with art teachers and partner organisations from within the communities, they developed art and language lessons to improve literacy and give parents tools that would enable them to play an active role in the education of their children. The lessons are given in a familiar place, such as the local library or community centre, and in the native languages of the pupils (English, Spanish or Creole). The museum uses this method with the aim of lowering the threshold to cultural programmes for these families.
"This programme is a gift, taught by real artists who are passionate and good with children. My daughter is more confident and assertive."
Participating parent
What does the programme look like?
Children learn language through teachers reading to them. At the same time, parents learn the art of reading out loud. This is followed by a creative assignment inspired by the story, which revolves around the community’s own traditions and cultures. They carry on practicing at home; each lesson, families are given a book as a gift. To encourage museum visits, each term ends with a free event (including transport), in which the works of art produced by the families are displayed. There are also family days with free admission to the museum. In addition, the programme gives a lasting boost to education and active participation. The families see the museum as their own museum: a safe, accessible place where the their needs are put first. It’s a place where art inspires people rather than intimidating them.
Creativity in the Community is aimed at the communities of Little Haiti, Little Havana, North Miami, Miami Beach and Overtown, and pays specific attention to Haitian-American families in Little Haiti and North Miami, Latin American families in Little Havana and African-American families in Overtown.
More information
If you have any questions or need advice, please get in touch with Kylee Crook, Director of Education at the Bass Museum of Art, at kcrook@thebass.org or +1 786 477 6006.