A creative practitioner and Freeman of the City of London, Joshua is dedicated to reimagining museums as dynamic, anti-racist spaces that reflect diverse histories and voices. He is also a Fellow of the RSA - the Royal Society of Arts.
At NEMO’s European Museum Conference 2024, Joshua Robertson will join the panel "We need to talk!" on Monday 11 November.
Presentation abstract:
Challenging polarisation: Transformative paths for anti-racist activism in museums
In his contribution, Joshua will explore the challenges UK museums face in the context of rising polarisation and the far-right's backlash against decolonisation and institutional anti-racist activism. Drawing on Audre Lorde’s powerful words, ‘The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house,’ he will argue that traditional approaches are inadequate for creating lasting change. Instead, he will propose innovative pathways to cultivate decolonial and anti-racist futures within our museums. These pathways must break from established norms and disrupt entrenched frameworks that have long marginalized diverse histories. He will also highlight the pivotal role of the UK Museums Association, focusing on how initiatives like the Anti-Racist Museums Programme and the Decolonisation Skills and Confidence Programme have ignited this transformative process.