Reconciliation in America's Museums: Understanding Cultural Patrimony and the Path to Rebuilding Trust

As the lasting impact of settler colonialism and slavery is felt throughout Native American tribes and Black communities today, museums across the nation are grappling with issues of patrimony and provenance regarding art, artifacts, relics, and remains. These items were often taken without consent, long before ethical protocols for procurement were established.

Now, museums are working to find solutions in collaboration with community and comply with federal laws, like the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Enacted in the 1990s, the Biden Administration recently issued updated policies that ultimately led to some museums covering up, or even removing some displays until the appropriate determinations could be made and/or consents obtained. This act reignited a conversation on museums' role in reconciliation, addressing historical injustices, and cross-cultural understanding.

The City Club is once again proud to partner with The Cleveland Orchestra as part of the third annual Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Opera and Humanities Festival. Join us as we hear from Smithsonian museum leadership on how American cultural institutions are charting a new path forward on reconciliation and repatriation.

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Online ticket sales for this forum will conclude on Tuesday, May 20th at noon. For more information regarding ticketing/registration, contact Stacy Roper at (216) 621-0082.

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The livestream will be available beginning at 12:00pm. Have questions? Send a text to 330.541.5794.