Creating Equitable Ecologies: Broadening Access through Multilingualism

Museums reflect the practices of the dominant culture within the particular society in which they are located. This article examines the effects of museums offering texts, cultural artifacts and experiences in English only, which function to exclude patrons, often visiting in family groups, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This article includes explanations of various theoretical frameworks that help to explain how the construction and dynamism of social boundaries impact museum participation and guide considerations about designing and implementing bilingual and multilingual practices. Examples of successful institutional implementation are included. Recent research findings indicate that positive results for museums and visitors are supported when multilingual practices are central to mission statements and institutional sustainability goals.