The Structures of Museum Revolutions

Lāth Carlson Executive Director, Living Computers: Museum+Labs Museums can make truly structural changes in order to effect real progress in terms of inclusiveness. At Living Computers: Museum + Labs the principles of inclusion are infused throughout the organization. Shortly after opening in 2012 the entire museum experience and structures were reimagined through building strong community partnerships, more than doubling staff, remodelling the building, doubling public space, adding events and programs, expanding outreach, creating a whole floor of current technology exhibits, building three computer science learning labs, and adding significantly to the collections. In this process they positioned inclusivity as core to their policies and procedures with: no degree requirements for any position, every internship is paid at a living wage, all staff positions include full benefits, flexible employment options, flexible hours, a viable career ladder, internal promotions, hiring only local contractors and, hiring diverse contractors, a non-hierarchical and open workspace, a high degree of autonomy for all staff, and collaborative work processes.