Community-Based Curation: Expanding Narratives in Museums

Join Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) staff members Marianna Pegno and Christine Brindza for an introduction to their co-edited “how-to” guide, Community-Based Curation: A Toolkit for Expanding Narratives and Changing Practices. 

This reflective presentation will provide attendees with an overview of TMA’s commitment to inclusive exhibitions and community-based curation as well as tools and resources that can be used to inform practice. Attendees will reflect upon their individual roles and organizational priorities to consider strategies to prioritize community-engaged practices and create a sustainable approach.

Community-based curation is a collaborative approach to interpretation and exhibition development that explores the overlap (or intersections) of communities, histories, and culture with the museum’s collection. For TMA, this process relies on activating a network of community curators, exhibition-specific consultants, who work with staff to determine themes, objectives, artwork, identify curatorial strategies, author interpretative materials, and develop programs. 

Christine C. Brindza serves as Senior Curator and James and Louise Glasser Curator of Art of the American West at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) in Tucson, Arizona where she also oversees the Indigenous Arts collection. Her practice often incorporates community collaborative strategies.

Dr. Marianna Pegno is the Director of Engagement and Inclusion at the Tucson Museum of Art (TMA) where she works at the intersection of education, curation, interpretation, and community engagement.