Perspectives on Museums and Democracy

Museums occupy a unique space in our history and culture. This lecture and panel discussion will examine how the museum and heritage fields serve the public good.

Join the conversation as today’s thought leaders reflect on and imagine new ways museums can foster coalition-building and create spaces for strengthening democracy.

Andrew Perrin, a Johns Hopkins SNF Agora professor and chair of sociology in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, will set the tone for this livestreamed event with a talk about the state of our democracy.

Following his presentation, Perrin join fellow panelists in a discussion about the roles museums can play in building—and keeping—a strong democracy. Panelists include:

• Vedet Coleman-Robinson, President & CEO of the Association of African American Museums
• Anthea M. Hartig, the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
• Laura Huerta Migus, deputy director, Office of Museum Services in the Institute of Museum and Library Services
• Geri Mannion, managing director, Strengthening U.S. Democracy and the Special Opportunities Fund, Carnegie Corporation of New York

This event is hosted by the Johns Hopkins MA in Museum Studies and MA in Cultural Heritage Management programs in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution.