Museums engaging diverse Millennials in community dialogue

ABSTRACT In 2016, Levine Museum of the New South (LMNS) developed an innovative Sustained Dialogue program aimed at engaging and training a diverse group of Millennials in dialogue. University researchers partnered with museum staff in the program development, implementation, and evaluation. The program led to awareness and critical reflection at multiple scales: individual, group, and the broader community. Participants enhanced their cultural competence and their ability to facilitate conversations about difficult and pressing community issues. The program also helped participants identify solutions and actions to make their communities more inclusive. Participants realized the power of dialogue as a tool for introspection, interaction and social change. Millennials are attracted to programming that is informal, non-hierarchical, involves movement and (inter)activity, and builds skills and networks useful to everyday life. Millennials believe in grassroots efforts and incorporating technology as a way to share experiences, though face-to-face interactions are still viewed as meaningful.