Art and Activism: How Museums are Shaping Social Change

In May 2020, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) launched Just Kids, a digital exhibition highlighting youth perspectives on systemic racism following George Floyd’s murder. Initially a temporary response to protests, it has since reshaped Mia's programming and influenced the broader museum sector. This exhibition exemplifies how cultural institutions can adapt during societal upheaval.

Globally, museums are redefining their roles as agents of social change. Institutions like the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool and the District Six Museum in Cape Town address historical injustices, while generalist museums engage with contemporary activism. This shift responds to pressures, including climate protests at the British Museum and demands for Indigenous repatriation at the National Gallery of Australia. Neutrality often supports the status quo.

“The idea that museums can exist outside of politics is simply untenable in 2023,” says Dr. Tonya Nelson, Head of Museums and Cultural Property at Arts Council England. “Institutions are not simply containers of history and art—they actively shape public discourse through the decisions they make about what, and who, is visible.”

Nelson's observation highlights a trend prioritizing activism in museum programming. In 2021, the Smithsonian Institution launched FUTURES, a year-long exhibition blending design, art, and technology to tackle climate change and social inequities. The curatorial team collaborated with grassroots organizers and scientists to create activist tools, including a prototype for a zero-carbon home designed by community architects in Puerto Rico.

Another significant example is Who We Are: Visualizing Black America, presented at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 2022. This exhibition featured works by contemporary Black artists advocating for racial justice and included public forums, activist workshops, and a grants initiative for artists involved in community organizing. Despite criticism regarding the museum’s financial ties to corporate sponsors linked to racial inequities, the initiative represented a significant effort to merge art with activism.

The issue of sponsorship is critical in discussions about museums adopting activist roles. Critics have challenged institutions for partnerships that contradict their social commitments. The Guggenheim Museum faced protests in 2019 over funding from the Sackler family, associated with the opioid crisis through Purdue Pharma. These protests led to increased scrutiny, prompting several institutions, including the Louvre and Tate Modern, to cut ties with the Sacklers.

“Activism within museums cannot only exist on the walls,” says Dr. Jason Farago, an art critic for The New York Times. “The financial and operational structures of these institutions must also withstand scrutiny. Otherwise, the messaging risks being seen as performative.”

In response, some institutions are proactively addressing these concerns. In 2023, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago announced a public audit of its funding sources and implemented a policy against sponsorships from corporations linked to fossil fuels or private prisons. The MCA also initiated an “artist-in-residence” program, collaborating with climate activists to create installations that engage directly with the environmental crisis.

Artists are increasingly taking on activist roles both within and beyond museums. The artist collective Forensic Architecture has blurred the lines between art, activism, and evidence. Their 2019 installation at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester reconstructed footage of a police shooting, revealing discrepancies in official reports. This project garnered critical acclaim and played a crucial role in the investigation of the incident. Forensic Architecture exemplifies how artists can intervene in the adjudication of injustice rather than merely depict it.

Activism-driven curatorial practices extend into education and community engagement. The Queens Museum in New York has partnered with undocumented communities since 2015, hosting programs designed to inform and empower participants. The museum’s No Longer Empty residency, launched in 2018, pairs artists with local activists to address issues like housing insecurity and immigration policy. The museum aims to “turn passive viewers into active participants.”

As museums embrace activism, they risk alienating audiences who expect cultural institutions to remain apolitical. “It’s a balancing act,” notes Dr. Nelson. “Engagement must be authentic and grounded in the community’s needs, rather than driven by institutional brand-building.”

Sustainability also poses challenges. Activism-led programming can be resource-intensive, requiring long-term investments in staff, partnerships, and infrastructure. Without structural commitment, these efforts may become ephemeral, overshadowed by the next exhibition cycle.

As museums navigate these challenges, the line between art and activism continues to blur. By commissioning works that confront power structures and dismantling colonial legacies, cultural institutions are discovering new ways to engage with pressing issues. If successful, they may influence the art world and contribute meaningfully to broader social movements in the 21st century.