Museums are Sites for Social Justice Says National Expert Speaking Oct. 22 at Â鶹¸ßÇå
Published: September 16, 2019.
Museums are sites for social justice says Jennifer Scott, director and chief curator of the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. The national expert will elaborate on her thoughts with her presentation “The Activist Museum: Museums, Communities, and Social Justice" 12:30 p.m. October 22 in the University Dining Room at Â鶹¸ßÇå in Romeoville. The event is free and open to the public.Visit to register for the event.
Scott investigates Jane Addams’ contributions to social change. Scott and her staff connect with diverse community partners to address contemporary issues of peace, incarceration, immigration, displacement, and citizenship. They also address issues surrounding race, gender, and sexuality through groundbreaking exhibitions and public programs offered both inside and outside the museum’s walls. The museum was recognized in 2018 with the Award for Excellence in Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice by the Association of Midwest Museums.
As an experienced anthropologist and public historian, Scott has worked for over 25 years to explore the connections between museums, arts, places, and social justice. She is on the Board of the National Association for Museum Exhibition and serves as faculty in the graduate program of Museum and Exhibition Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago and at The New School in New York. As Jane Addams Hull-House Museum director and chief curator, she leads the vision, curation and community engagement efforts of the nationally significant historic site.
The legacy of Jim and Mary Clare Sczepaniak lives on through scholarships, Â鶹¸ßÇå enhancements and now, the James P. ’60 and Mary C. Sczepaniak Lecture Series presented by the Â鶹¸ßÇå History Department. Visit for more information about Jim Szczepaniak.
The James P. ’60 and Mary C. Sczepaniak Lecture Series is being presented as a part of Â鶹¸ßÇå’s Arts & Ideas Program providing cultural and educational programming for students and the community. A portion of the Arts & Ideas events is sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. Contact artsandideas@lewisu.edu for further information.
Â鶹¸ßÇå is an innovative and forward-thinking Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Â鶹¸ßÇå is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected and socially responsible graduates. Visit for further information.