The Philadelphia Museum of Art has hired the first director of diversity, fairness, inclusion and access. The newly created senior management will be filled by Alfonso Atkins Jr., who is currently working as Chief Diversity Officer at the University of South Carolina at Upstate University. He will start his new role on August 16th.
Atkins not only creates and implements strategies for developing more comprehensive and diverse internal operations, such as training staff and board members, determining museum vendors and equipment, but also public programs and curator materials.
“Alfonso comes to the museum at a very important moment,” said the museum’s director and CEO Timothy Rub in a statement. “Over the past year, we have engaged in a lot of introspection, discussion, and staff training to strengthen our workplace culture while at the same time continuing to build the ability to effectively engage and collaborate in diversity. A community for developing exhibitions, educational programs and other initiatives. “
“We are delighted to find a proven leader in Alfonso,” said Lesley-Ann Miller, director of the museum.
“Our board recognizes the urgency and obligations to address racial and social inequality that are still embedded in museums and other public institutions and is committed to change. “Miller said in a statement.
Over the past year, staff have formed unions due to access and impartiality issues since the pandemic closed. Recognized racial prejudice and class and higher education privileges in museum programming mobilized successful union activities, with the contract still under negotiation.
