Protests can take many different forms and can start in various locations, depending on the context and purpose of the demonstration.
That being said, museums and cultural institutions have often been the site of protests in the past for a few reasons. One reason is that museums and other cultural institutions are often seen as symbols of power and authority, and therefore as targets for protests seeking to challenge or subvert that power.
Additionally, museums and cultural institutions may be seen as complicit in or perpetuating injustices, such as by exhibiting art that reinforces harmful stereotypes or by failing to represent diverse perspectives.
Here are 10 examples of notable protests that have taken place in or around museums:
Sackler Protest at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: In 2019, activists staged a protest at the Met in New York City to demand the removal of the Sackler name from the museum's wing of ancient Near Eastern art. The Sackler family has been linked to the opioid epidemic in the United States.
Guggenheim Museum Protest: In 2018, a group of artists and activists protested outside the Guggenheim Museum in New York City to demand that the museum cut ties with the Sackler family
Whitney Museum Protests: In 2019, there were several protests at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City in response to the museum's decision to exhibit works by the artist Dana Schutz, whose painting of Emmett Till in an open casket was seen by some as exploitative.
Decolonize This Place Protests at the American Museum of Natural History: The activist group Decolonize This Place has organized several protests at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, calling attention to the museum's representation of indigenous peoples and its ties to the fossil fuel industry.
BP or not BP? Protests at the British Museum: The activist group BP or not BP? has organized a series of protests at the British Museum in London to draw attention to the museum's sponsorship by BP and its connection to the oil industry.
Louvre Protest: In 2019, activists staged a protest at the Louvre Museum in Paris to demand the repatriation of artifacts taken from Benin during the colonial era.
National Museum of Brazil Fire Protest: In 2018, following a devastating fire at the National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, hundreds of people gathered outside the museum to demand government action to protect cultural institutions.
Museum of the Bible Protests: In 2019, protesters gathered outside the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. to call attention to the museum's ties to the evangelical Christian movement.
Art Workers' Coalition Protests at the Museum of Modern Art: In the late 1960s, the Art Workers' Coalition organized a series of protests at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City to demand greater representation of women and artists of color in the museum's exhibitions.
Mexican Students' Protest at the National Museum of Anthropology: In 1968, Mexican students staged a protest at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, calling attention to government repression and inequality in Mexican society.
In recent years, we have seen protests centered around museums and cultural institutions on issues such as climate action, decolonizing museum collections, promoting racial justice, and supporting workers' rights.
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