From Access to Belonging: a Holistic Approach to Expanding US Museum Audiences Across Race and Age

Abstract

This study examines how the concept of belonging can be applied to the analysis of art museum visitor experience for young adult and ethnic minority audiences. While many museums evaluate audience engagement through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) metrics, demographic representation alone does not fully explain how visitors experience cultural institutions. To address this gap, the study adopts the framework developed by the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, which conceptualizes belonging through four dimensions: Inclusion, Connection, Agency, and Recognition. Using a qualitative comparative case study methodology, the research analyzes the Brooklyn Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) through a Belonging Framework Matrix developed for this study. The analysis draws on publicly available institutional materials, including annual reports, strategic initiatives, architectural projects, public programming, and curatorial practices. Rather than measuring belonging directly through visitor surveys, the study examines how museum practices align with the institutional conditions associated with belonging. The findings suggest that both museums have implemented strategies that extend beyond traditional diversity initiatives, particularly in the areas of spatial accessibility, social programming, visitor participation, and cultural representation. While the institutions employ different approaches, the comparison demonstrates how belonging can serve as a useful analytical lens for understanding museum audience engagement beyond demographic measures alone. The study concludes by proposing a practical framework that cultural managers can use to identify and evaluate institutional practices that may support belonging within museum environments.