Elisabeth Callihan

Working to create more equitable & socially just institutions through learning & engagement. Co-founder of @museumaction

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

This was a big moment in museum activism and a connection point for so many of the people & movements Dr. Moore lists in this thread. There’s so much work left to do, but thank you @PorchiaMuseM for noting & celebrating what has been done and encouraging the work to continue!

[Dr. Porchia Moore @PorchiaMuseM]

This picture captures what is arguably one of the most important moments in museum history. 2015. AAM. Rogue session that became the Museum Workers Speak movement. Thanks to Alyssa Greenburg and crew.

[Andrea Jones ⚡️ @MuseumJones]

We lost a truly righteous leader this weekend. Cancer took @CLegutko with little warning, leaving the museum field with a gaping hole. This was her last tweet. Of course it was.
She was a badass ⚡️

If you’d like to add a memory to this thread, I’d be grateful 🥲

[Margaret Middleton @magmidd]

So pleased to share this article @Jamiejhagen and I recently published about feminist solidarity and collective action in the US/UK museum sector.

Open access! Download pdf: https://t.co/Bim7cQLwCk

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

So many provocations and catalyzing thoughts from @PorchiaMuseM ❤️ today, but amongst them this idea of “Interpretation as Transgression”, asking critical questions (of ourselves, art, audience, & institution) is foundational. @ArtMuseumInterp

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

To this point of the necessity of creative speculation, @PorchiaMuseM draws from Octavia Butler:

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

Yesss @GGuillotte speaking to the transformative power of creative speculation. And the power of Art to save lives, our collective life. @ArtMuseumInterp @PorchiaMuseM

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

Five mins into @ArtMuseumInterp at beautiful @DenverArtMuseum & already deeply inspired by the thoughtful intro by @SwarupaAnila & @PorchiaMuseM #aami22

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

“who gets to define what a museum is? why must we limit what we can be? who does this serve and who does it leave out?” @chayaarabia I don’t worry about the future of museums with folks like you around. Read her 🧵 of gratitude & thoughtful reflections here👇

[Chaya Arabia @chayaarabia]

it's been a week since #AAM2022. some thoughts to share

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

@murawski27 I often quote the strategy you shared at mass action one year: When told “the museum can’t afford [insert equity initiative]” ask leaders: **What are we prioritizing over equity?** Having to name the real priority (a donor’s wishes, institutional racism, etc.) is… informative.

[cryptobard @crypt0bard]

Interesting. What does it mean to center kindness for the visitor in planning an exhibition? Will you get a different result if you focus on kindness for the artist(s), for the curator(s)? Could these kindness practices come into conflict?

[MASS Action @museumaction]

Call for proposals!! Join us June 2-4th to disrupt, dismantle, and manifest a different present and future. Submit a proposal here:
https://t.co/iBpQwnTscg

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

A powerful call for intentional listening, empathy, vulnerability, and cultural humility to be not only the bedrock of museum practice, but of museum leadership itself. Written by an art museum director. Right on, @KaywinFeldman
https://t.co/Q15fWqGonn

[EdCom - AAM @AAM_EdCom]

How might #MuseumEducators deepen our understanding of #AntiRacism and collectively build anti-racist praxis? In Mar, Apr & Jun, join @ArtsMIA for convos w @KeonnaHendrick, @MOMAMarit, @Museum_Matters, @SabrinaCMP_. More info: https://t.co/AGrZdiTrWh @NAEAMusEd @MuseumAction

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

Actually, I take that back - just stop funding "inclusion" efforts all together & redirect all funds and energy towards supporting BIPOC staff while you are actively and unceasingly working to dismantling white supremacy.

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

Real talk, as always @artstuffmatters & @adriannerussell. Initiatives focused on “inclusion” without equal (nope, greater) resources allocated to dismantling the very white supremacy that caused the need for “inclusion” in the first place? Just more white supremacy.

[Adrianne Russell @adriannerussell]

Being "included" in violent orgs is why I have PTSD. It's not the goal you think it is.

[Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko @CLegutko]

My colleagues can do better to fight and counter racism and I will do better. We have the power and opportunity to turn away from oppressive practice and softened talks of relevance and instead, strongly and fiercely step into the light of anti-racism work. @aamers reminds us. TY

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

Really appreciate the thoughtful prompts “for reflection and action” created by @MuseumsandRace in this thread 👇

[Museums & Race @MuseumsandRace]

(1/8) Many of you are grappling with how to address the events of January 6th, personally and professionally.

We charge you with the following 5 questions for reflection and action:

#OnTruth #MuseumsandRace #MR2021 #MuseRace #TruthandReconciliation

[Elisabeth Callihan @bttyanne]

@Twitter & @jack regularly suspend accounts for anything ranging from parodying celebrities to terrorism... So what about someone with 88.7 million followers inciting violent insurrection & fomenting seditious conspiracy? Where does that fall on your spectrum of permissibility?