Museum curator’s blog submission recognized as one of the top 10 reads of 2024

*Olmec Stone vessel (Gulf of Mexico) depicting God of War, with jaguar features, 1500-600 BC.*

A groundbreaking blog submission by San Bernardino County Museum’s Chief Deputy and Curator of Anthropology Tamara Serrao-Leiva has been named seventh of the top 10 most-read blog articles of 2024 by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), marking a significant milestone in San Bernardino County Museum’s ongoing digital transformation. The submission, titled Consensual Curation and Our Common Future, explores consensual curation and repatriation of objects, offering fresh insights and thought-provoking perspectives about how museums collect and the responsibility they have to cultures of origin.

First published in March 2024, the blog post garnered significant attention across AAM’s Center for the Future of Museum Blog which provides the museum community with a place to share stories and insights, in their own voice, reaching thousands of people across the global museum field. Whether discussing innovative approaches to descendant community relationships, accessible exhibition experiences, or inclusive volunteer program structures, the blog speaks to a will to break from the ways we’ve “always done things” and forge more sincere, committed institutions.

As the museum world continues to shift, this recognition signals a broader trend of curatorial voices shaping the future of museum criticism and public interaction and exemplifies how digital platforms, like blogs, can play a crucial role in amplifying ideas and fostering deeper connections between the museum community and a global audience.

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children five and under and members are admitted free. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, visit museum.sbcounty.gov or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

Additional County Update News – Jan. 30, 2025