Museums Association launches guidelines to fight British colonialism

The Museums Association has launched new guidelines for museums to address the legacy and presentation of British colonial history.

The guide “Supporting decolonization in museums”, for places of all sizes, is intended to help museum professionals in their decolonization practices.

The guide defines decolonization as “creatively reinventing the way museums operate, who they work with and what they enjoy”.

It is hoped that the councils “will rebalance power and representation away from the colonizing narrative of history and society”.

Sharon Heal, director of the Museums Association, explained that the advice comes “[a]At a time when this history is under more scrutiny than ever, ”and added“ it is vital that museums engage in these discussions and reassess their own historic role in the empire ”.

The guide (which can be read here) was produced by the Museum Association’s Decolonization Direction Working Group, which includes members of the Natural History Museum, the Arts Council England, and the V&A.

The guide “Supporting decolonization in museums” is divided into 10 sections, which encourage responsibility, creativity and meaningful collaboration.

Along with this advice, the Museum Association has announced that it will launch a “Confidence and Skills in Decolonization” program next year funded by Art Fund, the John Ellerman Foundation, the Esme Fairbairn Foundation and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

The program is expected to help museums implement decolonization practices in their work through the creation of new networks, events and online resources.