Promoting Exhibit Access and Safety (PEAS): Reflections on Conference Surveys

Abstract

Established in 2020, the Promoting Exhibit Access and Safety (PEAS) Working Group was formed by cultural heritage, safety, and health professionals with a shared interest in finding multidisciplinary solutions to “detrimental visitor interactions (DVI),” defined as “any incident where an individual engages with an exhibit and harms themselves, others, or a collection item.” The Working Group is composed of individuals from various private and non-profit organizations that connect to international, national, regional, local, and tribal audiences. In 2021, the Working Group surveyed attendees at four cultural heritage conferences to get a broader perspective on what institutions are already doing at the intersection of access and safety. The following article is a presentation and analysis of the survey results which comprises both quantitative and qualitative data.