Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Action Plan - Update December 2022

July 2022-December 2022

Goal 1

Expand the reach of our youth programs such as Museum Explorer for K-5 students, and ArtNow, our annual juried high school art exhibition, to ensure equitable opportunities for participation throughout Santa Clara County.

Progress Towards
• The ArtNow Teen Council & NUMU's Education Curator created an ArtNow Toolkit, a free resource available to all teachers and students to make ArtNow more accessible
• NUMU has served 200+ students on-site and in the classroom, including Title I schools, through the Museum Explorer program and other youth education programs.

Goal 2

Co-create art and history exhibitions with a wide array of diverse community input (such as paid artists, guest curators, and artists in residence), ensuring the democratization of the NUMU institutional voice. Ensure a more balanced representation of underrecognized histories, BIPOC, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and women in our exhibitions.

Progress Towards
• Developed a submission process for external exhibition proposals that centers our institutional DEAI values.
• Opened two exhibitions co-created with community partners, including the Muwekma Ohlone Tribal Council and San Jose State University.

Goal 3

Update our website, programs, and physical space to be more accessible and reduce barriers to engagement. This includes keeping paid programs and ticket prices reasonable to help broaden access.

Progress Towards
• We updated our website with a revised logo more suitable for low-vision viewers, as well as language translation capabilities.
• Introduced several new on-site physical accommodations, including wheelchair availability and fidget toys.

Goal 4

Provide a work culture that attracts diverse talent and is equitable and sustainable by offering benefits and livable salaries, as well as reasonable work hours and paid time off. Remove harmful and/or exclusive practices and policies by Interrogating our internal staff work practices.

Progress Towards
• We successfully hired and hosted our first paid Collections Intern, funded by IMLS.
• An updated Employee Handbook has been drafted, adding sections for salary ranges; PTO and sick time policy; and virtual work policy, and is under review by the museum's Board.

Goal 5

Reduce barriers to board membership by being genuinely flexible with board dues and nurturing an atmosphere of inclusion for members of all backgrounds, ages, and careers. Make intentional efforts to recruit board members of diverse backgrounds to reflect the diversity of the entire Bay Area. Remove harmful and/ or exclusive practices and policies by Interrogating our internal board practices, and updating our board bylaws.

Progress Towards
• The Board Chair and Executive Director met with each Board Member individually in fall 2022. We gathered feedback about the board member onboarding process and are adapting our onboarding and meeting format accordingly.

Goal 6

Create a safe space for the Los Gatos community and the wider Bay Area to learn about equity, inclusion, and antiracism through arts and history exhibitions and programs.

Progress Towards
• NUMU staff publicly advocated for Town of Los Gatos’ recognition of Native American Heritage Month, as well as the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe.
• NUMU implemented a First Free Sunday program, allowing any member of the public to visit the museum on that day for free.

Questions?
Email: visit@numulosgatos.org

Equity Plan Statement

New Museum Los Gatos | NUMU was founded in 1965 as a public non-profit art and history museum. NUMU’s mission is to engage the community at the intersection of art, history and education through innovative, locally connected and globally relevant exhibitions, programs and experiences. NUMU’s vision is to offer equal and equitable representation, opportunities and services to all stakeholders through our operations, exhibitions, public programs, and permanent collection. NUMU is committed to antiracism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access because it is vital for a community institution to actively support underrepresented groups through art, design and creativity.

We specifically commit NUMU to expanding access for all, including BIPOC, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and women content creators and audiences.

Guiding Principle: Intentionally cultivating and sustaining a comprehensive museum experience and community rooted in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Banner Image Description (Top of Page)

BAILEY FU
Bleeding America
ArtNow 2021: Good Trouble
2nd Place Mixed Media | Grade 12 | Los Altos High School

America’s history regarding slavery is unarguably atrocious and gruesome. However, over the years, people have come to repress the true violence of the practice, whether through denial or white-washing of history. In the end, the most difficult barrier, especially when a person is raised thinking a certain way, is changing one’s own perspective and acknowledging the truth about our country’s history.