Sometimes, the best way to meet people where they are is to literally meet them where they are. The Museum on Wheels will do just that. A mobile museum within an Airstream trailer, this Brooklyn Museum initiative can pull up anywhere in Brooklyn with touchable selections from our collection of teaching objects—plus a variety of activities.
The interactive art and education experience will launch during the Brooklyn Museum’s anniversary year and continue beyond the celebration, bringing intergenerational cultural programming to sites across the borough. It’s part of a commitment to reduce barriers to access by rethinking how the Museum engages with the community. The mobile museum will make art and cultural experiences more accessible to those who typically don’t engage in traditional museum settings.
The concept was dreamed up through a series of listening tours with community partners, including the Brownsville Heritage House and El Puente in South Williamsburg. This effort helped ensure that the initiative is aligned with Brooklyn residents’ specific needs, interests, and cultural preferences.
“By actively engaging with community members through these listening tours, the Brooklyn Museum has gained valuable insights into the local population’s aspirations, concerns, and priorities,” says Laval Bryant-Quigley, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships. “This approach has helped cocreate a mobile museum experience that truly reflects and resonates with the community, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity through collaboration.”
Based on those conversations, the Museum on Wheels is designed to bring the full Brooklyn Museum experience into nearby neighborhoods. When the Airstream pulls up to community partner sites, it offers a host of artworks and experiences. In addition to learning about collection objects, local residents can make their own art, learn about careers in the culture sector, or take part in a music lesson. The programming was developed in collaboration with the Museum’s partners, and activities will continue to be adapted based on those partners’ needs.
“By bringing the museum experience directly to their neighborhoods, residents are provided with opportunities to explore and interact with programs, workshops, and cultural resources that are cocreated with Museum staff and fellow community members,” says Bryant-Quigley. “This mobile approach aims to stimulate creativity, foster a sense of curiosity, and encourage residents to envision broader possibilities for themselves and their communities.”
