Centering Indigenous Practices in Museums

THE CONFERENCE

This conference will bring together knowledge sharers including Indigenous and non-Indigenous curators, artists, scholars, and community members who have contributed to transforming museum practice using Indigenous-informed methodologies. The conference will focus on themes of collaboration and reciprocity, challenges in artistic practice, and confronting colonial legacies. Although these issues are consistently raised in the academic literature,they often remain at a theoretical level. At this conference, we aim to ground discussions in specific approaches and experiences that can illuminate pathways for ongoing work. 

The conference will include 3 plenaries and 3 workshop sessions:

Plenaries

1. Artists
2. Emerging Museum Professionals
3. Senior Curators and Directors

Workshops (We will offer 3 workshops based on participant preferences.)

Potential Topics:

• Sharing struggles around sustaining decolonizing and indigenizing efforts
• Innovations in Collections care guided by Indigenous ethics
• Explore Native Truths Exhibition Development
• Tribal Museums’ Challenges and future directions
• Strategies for reaching donors
• Framing curatorial work differently within the context of sovereignty and health to create a stronger pipeline for young professionals

DATE/TIME/LOCATION

• Thursday, Sept 28, 8:30am-5pm
• Friday, Sept 29, 8:30am-5pm

All conference sessions will be held at the Field Museum (1400 DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL).

ADDITIONAL EVENTS 

In addition to the two-day conference which will include plenaries and workshops, we are excited to offer the option of attending two additional events:

• Wednesday, Sept 27, 5pm-7pm - Networking Dinner at Tunica-Biloxi

Join us for a special networking event hosted by our friends at the Tunica-Biloxi tribal office (Chicago Branch) of Louisiana, where you can come meet your hosts, fellow attendees and presenters in an informal setting and enjoy an wonderful Indigenous meal catered by Foxway Catering, a beloved local Indigenous-owned catering company. Feel free to bring any family traveling with you. RSVP is requested at the time of your registration.

- LOCATION: 600 W Cermak 2B, Chicago, IL 60616

• Friday, Sept 29, 5:30pm-8:30pm - Block Museum reception and viewing of "Rosalie Favell: Indigenous Artists Facing the Camera

View the Block Museum's exhibition Rosalie Favell: Indigenous Artists Facing the Camera and enjoy a closing reception and dinner for the Centering Indigenous Practices in Museums conference. RSVP is requested at the time of your registration. A shuttle bus will be provided from the Field Museum to the Block Museum and back to the hotel after the reception.

- LOCATION: Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS & PARKING

Hotel accommodations will be provided and arranged for participants traveling from out of town by the CIPiM planning committee. Further information will be provided upon registration, but for your planning purposes, CIPiM conference guests will be staying at the:

Hampton Inn/Hiltons at McCormick Place

123 East Cermak

Chicago, IL 60616 

312-791-1121

 Parking will also be provided for those who request it when registering. Please be sure to complete the registration form to the best of your ability.