The document discusses the history and mission of the Studio Museum in Harlem. It was founded in the 1960s by a group of artists, philanthropists, and civic leaders to create a new kind of museum that was responsive to its creative community. The museum's mission is to showcase and support artists of African descent locally, nationally, and internationally inspired by black culture. It also serves as a site for dynamic discussions about art and society. The museum is expanding its facilities with a new building designed to better suit its programming and remain in Harlem. The rest of the document poses questions for how the museum can better serve as an active citizen and collaborator within its community.

1. Rethinking Museum
Citizenship
Prepared for MuseumNext NYC by Nico Wheadon,
Director, Public Programs & Community Engagement
November 2018

2. A Brief History
In the late sixties, a diverse group of
artists, philanthropists and civic
leaders drafted a proposal for an
altogether new model of museum, one
“with the ability to respond more
directly and immediately to the
creative climate.”

3. Mission
The Studio Museum in Harlem is the nexus for artists of
African descent locally, nationally and internationally and
for work that has been inspired and influenced by black
culture. It is a site for the dynamic exchange of ideas about
art and society.

4. Mission
The Studio Museum in Harlem is the nexus for artists of
African descent locally, nationally and internationally and
for work that has been inspired and influenced by black
culture. It is a site for the dynamic exchange of ideas about
art and society.

5. Expansion
Since the early 1980s, the Studio Museum in Harlem has
operated out of a century-old commercial building that was
adapted for our use by the late African-American architect J.
Max Bond, Jr.

6. Expansion
Designed by Adjaye Associates in collaboration with Cooper
Robertson, the new Studio Museum will be the first home the
Studio Museum has ever occupied that will be conceived and
built for its program. The building will rise in the heart of
Harlem on West 125th Street, on the site of the current facility.

7. What is The Studio Museum
in Harlem Without The
Studio Museum?

8. What is The Studio Museum
in Harlem Without The
Studio Museum?

9. HowcantheMuseumembodyanactivecitizen,neighborand
collaboratorwillingtoworkwith,for&throughitscommunity?
Prompt:

10. inHarlem:
Howcanartisticactivationsinpublicspaceencourageand
supportaltogethernewsocialrelations?

11. ByengagingHistoricHarlemparks,howcanweincrease
accesstocontemporaryartandlivingartists,whilstalso
celebratingouruniquehistory,andthosethatwroteandlived
it?
inHarlem:

12. inHarlem:
Whattypesofcreativecommunitiesandactivitiesalready
activatethesespaces,andwhatdoweaddtothesepre-
existingconversations?

13. inHarlem:
Whatkindsofinformalordrop-inartexperiencescanwecreate,
thatencourageintergenerationalconversation,connection,and
celebration?

14. inHarlem:
Howcanweinvitethecommunityintotheprocessofimagining
theartworksthatwillimpacttheirpublicspaces,encouraging
ourneighborstoactivelyobserveandengageourshared
environment?

15. inHarlem:
Howcanwecontinuetodrawinvoicesfromotherfieldsof
culturalproductiontoexpandourunderstandingsoftheimpact
ofcontemporaryartonandwithinourcommunities?

16. inHarlem:
Howcanweunearthcommonground,andexpandthe
conversationaroundwhatcreativeandculturalproduction
actuallyis,andwhereittranspires?

17. inHarlem:

18. inHarlem:
Andbyrefiningamorenuancedunderstandingofcommunity
needsindialoguewithourlocalpartners,howcanwemeetand
supportsharedaudienceswheretheyare?

19. inHarlem:
Howcanlocalpartnershipsconnectartistswithnewresources,
audiencesandopportunitiesforprofessionaldevelopment,
empoweringthemtocontinuetoinnovateintheirpractices?

20. inHarlem:
HowcantechnologyempowertheMuseumtobroadcastits
missiontoamoreglobalaudience?And,inturn,howcanit
increaseourabilitytohearfromthismoreglobalaudienceand
celebrateconnectionsbetweenfields,areasofinterestand
diasporiccommunities?

21. inHarlem:
Howmightthisevolvedwayofworkingempowerartiststo
imaginenewaudiencesfortheirwork,andengageevolving
dialogicplatformstoreachthoseaudienceswheretheyare?

22. inHarlem:
Howcanwepassthemicthatweholdasahistoricandvetted
institutiontosmaller,artist-led,andgrassrootsorganizations,
highlightingandsupportingouralliesinthiswork?

23. CommunityAdvisory
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30. Contact
Nico Wheadon
nwheadon@studiomuseum.org
www.studiomuseum.org
www.nicowheadon.com
(212) 864-4500 x282
IG | Twitter | LinkedIn: @nicowheadon