exhibitions

Inequivalent Exchange

250 Years of American Museum Practice

May 15, 2026 – June 6, 2026

Opening Reception | May 15th, 5:00 - 8:00 PM 

On display | May 15 - June 6

250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, how has museum practice in the United States evolved? In the early 19th Century, as American Museums were established, imperialism and exploitation of historic objects was prevalent. The monetary incentive to display global relics led to the hasty excavation of art and antiquities by locals, often through coercion, looting, and manipulative power imbalances. Inequivalent Exchange examines some of the legislation regarding exportation and repatriation of certain collection artifacts, and the current day inter-museum conflicts that accompany this changing curatorial world.