Article
Speaking of Change in Charlotte, North Carolina: How Museums Can Shape Immigrant Receptivity in a Community Navigating Rapid Cultural Change
Museums & Social Issues
(2015)
Abstract
To what degree can a museum impact cultural change in a community? Drawing from an evaluation of Levine Museum of the New South's Speaking of Change program, this article – which is the outcome of a community engaged partnership between museum staff, urban social geographers, and urban education scholars – describes one museum's community practice in shaping receptivity toward newcomers in a new immigrant gateway. Specifically, we demonstrate how through its exhibit and dialogue programming, the museum deepened understanding of immigration in ways that led to a warmer welcome and proactive inclusion. This research illuminates the critical role of museums in guiding community receptivity towards immigrants in a way that provides counterbalance to reactive or hostile responses.
Keywords
- Immigration,
- Museums,
- Receptivity,
- Collaborative community based research,
- Charlotte,
- North Carolina
Disciplines
Publication Date
Fall October 2, 2015
Citation Information
Susan B. Harden, Paul N. McDaniel, Heather A. Smith, Emily Zimmern, et al.. "Speaking of Change in Charlotte, North Carolina: How Museums Can Shape Immigrant Receptivity in a Community Navigating Rapid Cultural Change" Museums & Social Issues Vol. 10 Iss. 2 (2015) p. 117 - 133 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/paul-mcdaniel/13/