RACE: Are We So Different? | Media Information
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2008
Contact:
Glenda Bogar
gbogar@cmnh.org, 216-231-2071
800-317-9155, ext. 3363
or Marie Graf at 216-231-2070
Digital images available
“RACE: Are We So Different?” to Open
at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Exhibition Explores Topic of Race in America
Cleveland . . . The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will open an exhibition that confronts the issue of race and racism in the United States. “RACE: Are We So Different?” encourages Museum visitors to explore the science, history and everyday impact of race. The exhibition opens Sept. 27 and runs through Jan. 4, 2009.
Developed by the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, the exhibition tells the stories of race from biological, cultural and historical points of view.
“This is an amazing exhibition that tackles an issue that’s important to our community and our country,” said Bruce Latimer, Ph.D., the Museum’s executive director. “It offers a powerful look at race and racism, and challenges visitors to talk about the issue and their own experiences. Our Museum is using this exhibit to create a broader platform to engage our community. We want to open up dialogue and create thought-provoking programming that extends beyond the exhibit.”
Museum staff is planning a variety of programming, including a series of town hall meetings, lectures, a professional development series, teacher workshops, networking events, a health fair, as well as corporate and nonprofit programs.
The RACE exhibit is part of a larger public education project from American Anthropological Association funded by the Ford Foundation and the National Science Foundation. The project is intended to inform and shape the national dialogue about race. In addition to the exhibit, the initiative includes a Web site, educational materials, and conferences designed to share research and information with the public.
The national tour of “RACE: Are We So Different?” is presented by the Best Buy Children’s Foundation. The local presenting sponsor is the Dominion Foundation. Sponsors are American Greetings Corp., Forest City Enterprises Charitable Foundation, The Nord Family Foundation, Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio, and the United Black Fund. The promotional sponsor is WVIZ/WCPN ideastream.
The RACE exhibit addresses the topics of race and racism from three different perspectives. The three sections are interwoven and tell a compelling story of science with deep and lasting social impact. The three perspectives are:
• Science: In this section of the exhibit, visitors will discover that human beings are more alike than any other living species, and no one gene or set of genes can support the idea of race.
• History: Ideas about race have been around for hundreds of years, and they have changed over time. This section of RACE demonstrates that, throughout American history, economic interests, popular culture, science, politics and the struggle for power have played a role in shaping our understanding of race.
• Everyday experience: Though race may not be a real biological concept, it certainly is real both socially and culturally. In this section of the exhibit, visitors will explore the personal experience of race in our schools, neighborhoods, health care systems, sports and entertainment industries, and more.
“Race is an important part of the American story,” said Robert Garfinkle, the Science Museum of Minnesota’s program director for special projects and a guiding force in the creation of the RACE exhibit. “This exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to look at the way race touches our lives and the lives of the generations that came before us. Race is a part of virtually every aspect of American society and culture, and affects each of us in both small and profound ways.”
The Science Museum exhibit developers, designers and fabricators have worked to make RACE an approachable exhibit that promotes discovery, discussion and reflection.
RACE premiered Jan. 10, 2007 at the Science Museum of Minnesota. After closing there in May of that year, the exhibit embarked on a tour of museums and science centers across the country. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is the sixth venue to host the exhibition.
“RACE: Are We So Different?” is included in the Museum’s admission fee: $9 adults; $7 ages 7-18, college students with IDs and seniors 60 years of age or older; $6 children 3-6. Special Wednesday evening admission is $5 after 5 p.m. Group rates for 12 or more are also available. Shafran Planetarium shows are $4 per person with admission. Museum members receive free admission to the Museum and planetarium.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, incorporated in 1920, is one of the finest institutions of its kind in North America. It is noted for its collections, research, educational programs and exhibits. The collections encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, and research of global significance focuses on 11 natural science disciplines. The Museum is a valuable resource for scientists and students from kindergarten to university.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is located at 1 Wade Oval Drive in University Circle, 15 minutes east of downtown Cleveland. Museum hours are: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Paid parking is available in the Museum’s lot for $2 per hour or $15 per day maximum when purchasing general admission. For more information, call (216) 231-4600 or 800-317-9155. Visit the Museum’s Web site at www.cmnh.org.
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2008
Contact:
Glenda Bogar
gbogar@cmnh.org, 216-231-2071
800-317-9155, ext. 3363
or Marie Graf at 216-231-2070
Fact Sheet
“RACE: Are We So Different?” Exhibition
at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Sept. 27, 2008 – Jan. 4, 2009
What:
“RACE: Are We So Different?” Exhibition
When:
Opens Sept. 27, 2008
Runs through Jan. 4, 2009
Where:
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Kahn Hall
1 Wade Oval Drive, University Circle
Cleveland, OH 44106
Details:
The RACE exhibition encourages museum visitors to explore the science, history and everyday impact of race and racism. Its powerful combination of artifacts, historic and contemporary photography, multimedia components and interactive activities will give visitors of all ages the opportunity to think and talk about a topic that touches our lives daily.
Highlights include:
• Who’s Talking? - an activity that invites visitors to match voices they hear with
people in photos based on speech patterns and inflection, with surprising results.
• The Colors We Are - an activity that allows visitors to scan their skin and watch
their shade appear as a color “chip” on a computer screen mosaic next to chips
from dozens of other visitors.
• An exploration of the United States Census that demonstrates how our
conception of race is ever-changing and has morphed throughout American
history according to social, economic and political forces.
• Photography from Minneapolis photographer Wing Young Huie that captures –
in ways large and small – the lives of diverse, working class individuals and
communities across the country.
• The Living with Race Theater, where visitors can hear – and respond to –
people talking about their experiences with race and racism. Examples include a
person talking about becoming aware of her white privilege, another talking
about growing up Korean in a white family, and yet another discussing what it’s
like to be a part of a multi-racial couple.
• A study of high blood pressure and the people that suffer from it that reveals
the complexity of race, racism and medicine.
• Youth on Race, a video featuring students from an inner-city high school relating
their views of racial identity and how they differ from those of their parents.
RACE was developed by the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota. It is funded by the Ford Foundation and the National Science Foundation. The national tour of “RACE: Are We So Different?” is presented by the Best Buy Children's Foundation.
The local presenting sponsor is Dominion. Sponsors are American Greetings Corp., Forest City Enterprises Charitable Foundation, The Nord Family Foundation, Saint Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio, and the United Black Fund. The promotional sponsor is WVIZ/WCPN ideastream.
For more information on the “RACE: Are We So Different?” exhibition and the topics it addresses, visit www.understandingrace.org.
For updates on programs and classes being offered in conjunction with the exhibition, visit www.cmnh.org.
About the Museum:
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, incorporated in 1920, is one of the finest institutions of its kind in North America. It is noted for its collections, research, educational programs and exhibits. The collections encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, and research of global significance focuses on 11 natural science disciplines. The Museum is a valuable resource for scientists and students from kindergarten to university.
Visitor Information:
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Closed major holidays. Paid parking is available in the Museum’s lot for $2 per hour or $15 per day maximum when purchasing general admission. The Museum’s phone number is 216-231-4600 or
800-317-9155.
Admission to RACE is included in the Museum’s General Admission fees: Adults: $9;
Youth (ages 7-18), college students, seniors: $7; Children (ages 3 to 6): $6; Toddlers free.
Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium tickets: $4 nonmembers with general admission purchase; members free. For planetarium program times and ticket reservations, call 800-317-9155, ext. 3279.
Media Contacts: Glenda Bogar, Public Relations Manager, 216-231-2071, gbogar@cmnh.org
Marie Graf, Director of Marketing & Communications, 216-231-2070, mgraf@cmnh.org