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Past Talks & More | Education | Public Programs
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Museum consultant Margaret Middleton visits the Wex for the annual lecture copresented with Ohio State’s Department of Arts Administration, Education, and Policy.
Middleton is an international museum consultant currently based in Belfast, Ireland. In their work, Middleton creates strategies of inclusion for communities who face inequity and exclusion in traditional museum spaces. These range from youth and families and members of LGBTIQ+ communities to museum workers. Their practices include exhibition design, audience engagement, and writing. Middleton draws from multiple critical theories to center the lived experiences of marginalized populations in their work.
IMAGE CAPTIONLeft to right: Margaret Middleton, photo: Matthew Clowney. Play train in Bessie's House, a children's play space at the Discovery Museum, Acton, MA, 2018; photo: Matthew Clowney.
Margaret Middleton is an American independent exhibit designer and museum consultant currently based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. With a degree in industrial design from the Rhode Island School of Design and over 15 years of experience in the museum field, they work at the intersection of design and social justice. Middleton developed the popular Family Inclusive Language Chart and consults with museums on implementing inclusive practice with special focus on children, gender minorities, and queer people. Their writing has been published in books including Feminist Designer, Storytelling in Museums, Welcoming Young Children into the Museum, and The Inclusive Museum Leader as well as journals including the Journal of Museum Education, Exhibition, Museums & Social Issues, and Dimensions. Much of their work is freely accessible on their website, including Looking for Queer Possibility in the Museum (2022).
Copresented with Ohio State's Department of Arts Administration, Education, and Policy.
LEARNING & PUBLIC PRACTICE PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BYAmerican Electric Power FoundationHuntingtonMartha Holden Jennings FoundationBig Lots Foundation
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BYIngram-White Castle FoundationThe Ohio State University Office of Outreach & EngagementOhio Arts CouncilMilton & Sally Avery Arts FoundationSUPPORT FOR LEARNING & PUBLIC PRACTICE PROGRAM RESIDENCIES PROVIDED BYMike and Paige Crane
WEXNER CENTER PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BYOhio Department of DevelopmentGreater Columbus Arts CouncilThe Wexner FamilyInstitute of Museum and Library Services Ohio Arts CouncilCampusParcOhio State’s Global Arts + Humanities Discovery ThemeThe Columbus FoundationNationwide FoundationVorys, Sater, Seymour, and PeaseADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BYMike and Paige CraneAxium PackagingNancy KramerOhio State Energy PartnersOhio History Fund/Ohio History ConnectionLarry and Donna JamesBruce and Joy SollJones DayAlex and Renée Shumate
Past Talks & More
Margaret Middleton
