Image: Arab American National Museum photo by knightfoundation CC BY-SA 2.0.

Before the Arab American National Museum opened in Dearborn, MI in 2005, there wasn’t a singular museum telling the Arab American story. The museum defines the Arab World as 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Southeast Michigan has the highest concentration of people from the Arab World in North America, and much of the social, religious, cultural, and commercial enterprises are centered in Dearborn. In this episode, museum director Devon Akmon describes the process of using arts and culture as a mechanism to build greater community and to share the complexities of the stories with the wider public. Devon also talks about how his institution relates to other museums on issues of equity and justice.

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Guest: Devon AkmonTopics Discussed:00:00: Intro00:15: Devon Akmon, Director of the Arab American National Museum00:45: Why Dearborn, MI?02:53: Displacement in the Arab World03:30: Using Arts to Build Community04:04: Building the Museum05:07: Exhibitions and Space06:40: Feedback Mechanisms07:35: Different Audiences10:01: Talking to Other Museums

Image: Arab American National Museum photo by knightfoundation CC BY-SA 2.0.

Before the Arab American National Museum opened in Dearborn, MI in 2005, there wasn’t a singular museum telling the Arab American story. The museum defines the Arab World as 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Southeast Michigan has the highest concentration of people from the Arab World in North America, and much of the social, religious, cultural, and commercial enterprises are centered in Dearborn. In this episode, museum director Devon Akmon describes the process of using arts and culture as a mechanism to build greater community and to share the complexities of the stories with the wider public. Devon also talks about how his institution relates to other museums on issues of equity and justice.

Subscribe to Museum Archipelago for free to never miss an episode.

Guest: Devon AkmonTopics Discussed:00:00: Intro00:15: Devon Akmon, Director of the Arab American National Museum00:45: Why Dearborn, MI?02:53: Displacement in the Arab World03:30: Using Arts to Build Community04:04: Building the Museum05:07: Exhibitions and Space06:40: Feedback Mechanisms07:35: Different Audiences10:01: Talking to Other Museums