CAM Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Commitment

Approved by the CAM Board on September 23, 2021

As a steward of the art, history, and culture of Cape Ann, the Cape Ann Museum is committed to accurately and fully representing the lived experiences of all those who have been part of this region’s history and are part of its story today. Through our ongoing scholarship and community engagement, the Museum strives to develop an understanding and appreciation of Cape Ann’s continuously unfolding narrative, both past and present, and commits to representing it in our permanent collection, archives, exhibitions, and programs as well as in our communications and workplace.

The effort to become an equitable and inclusive organization will always be in process and the Museum will maintain this Commitment as a living document that is core to our ongoing growth and relevance. We recognize that historically museums have not felt welcoming and relevant to all communities. The Cape Ann Museum aims to shift that paradigm through our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by exploring deeply what those terms mean to our community and putting them into practice across all aspects of the Museum. We follow the definitions of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion put forward by our colleagues at the American Alliance of Museums.

The Cape Ann Museum Community Engagement Committee, comprised of staff, board, volunteers, and community stakeholders, is currently developing a set of Action Steps that will be revisited annually to ensure that the Museum is continuing to work towards these goals. To become a truly equitable and inclusive organization, visitors of all backgrounds must not only feel welcomed but also be able to relate to our programs, people, and collections. We are actively seeking input from community members and museum visitors on how the Cape Ann Museum can become a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible organization.