What works?
While there is still work to be done, below are listed programs from established and well-known institutions that focus on the goal of accessibility.
CO-CREATION
The DMA's project for collaborative exhibitions takes the model of co-creation to build engagement with the surrounding environment. This method of community collaboration in programing and in the artwork itself leads to more involvement in and cohesion with the city at large.
OUTREACH COMMITTEES
Programs like Kimbell's Teen Council provide a direct link between potential visitor populations and the museum, making the artistic institution more approachable and giving feedback on how to best market to young audiences.
DISPLACED ART
Through programs like the Nasher Sculpture Center's Nasher Public, art can be placed throughout the community. Sculptures on roadsides and photography on billboards not only brings attention to the artistic institution but also brings the intrinsic value of local art to people who might not normally make it to a museum or performance.
ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION
The Art Institute of Chicago's prioritization of clear and useful information leads to a more comfortable museum experience. Straight-forward details on ticket discounts and how to interact with artworks provide for a more cohesive and pleasant visit.
To draw new members to a space, artistic institutions must first make sure that the space is ready for new members. If newcomers are not comfortable, they will not stay. This is a hard line to tow, making sure valuable art is safe, but still creating a comfortable environment. One museum that I believe represents this balance incredibly well is the Nasher in Dallas. Docents and gallery attendants are professional and highlighted, but not ostentacious. They wear clothing that makes them approachable, and greet visitors to the gallery with a smile and a nod. They do not disrupt the viewing experience, and they do not allow the art to be damaged, but they give the visitor enough space to be comfortable. Most of all, the gallery attendants look like the young visitors. They represent different colors and lifestyles and present themselves as physical extensions of the galleries themselves. Paired with the new collections that represent modern tensions and recognize the potential failings of the museum, the collection as a whole does not take itself too seriously, leaving the visitor with a sense of comfort in the building.