Archival Interventions:
Using and Refusing the Traditional Archive
The work of decolonization encounters friction when facing archives that have perpetuated the erasure of historically marginalized peoples. This session explores critical engagement with traditional archives while examining alternative frameworks for heritage and cultural production. Paul Soulellis, founder of Queer.Archive.Work (Q.A.W.), discusses alternative archival practices as sites for queer kinship-building. Q.A.W. embraces a collectively engaged collection of objects made and owned by queer people, rejecting preservation in favor of sensory experience—embracing touch, smell, and browsing as portals of connection with queer ancestors. Similarly, Thea Quiray Tagle, PhD, Associate Curator at Brown University's Bell Gallery, incorporates critical archival engagement in her curatorial work. For her upcoming Fall 2025 solo exhibition of the work of Diné artist Eric Paul Riege, the artist will create a commission informed by Brown's Haffenreffer anthropology collection, addressing cultural dispossession in museum collections. This session brings these creatives into conversation to discuss their visions for engagement with traditional, alternative, and imagined archives.

Moderated by Christina Young

Reclaiming Heritage:
Decolonization and Repatriation Work on University Campuses
This session examines the evolving role of U.S. universities and museums in confronting colonial legacies through repatriation and decolonization initiatives, featuring insights from Indigenous scholars, Narragansett tribal representatives, and Brown University museum professionals. Discussions address ethical stewardship of cultural artifacts under legal frameworks like the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), strategies for integrating Indigenous heritage into interdisciplinary education, and collaborative models for reconciling institutional histories with restorative justice. Through case studies of recent New England repatriation efforts, attendees will explore approaches to dismantling systemic inequities, prioritizing Indigenous leadership, and reimagining campuses as spaces for justice-driven education and inclusive heritage preservation. This session engages participants in transformative dialogue on putting curatorial theory into meaningful action through collaboration between museums and communities.

Moderated by Ray Zhang and Audrey Wijono

Curated Memories:
Japanese American Wartime Incarceration, Institutional Narratives, and Modern Day Threats
How do museums, archives, and organizations shape our understanding of the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II? This panel examines how this history is presented—or erased—within institutions, exploring the challenges of representation, community engagement, and political influence. As contemporary policies on immigration, civil rights, and national security echo past injustices, our panelists consider potential threats to preserving and teaching this history in the current political climate. Through discussions on archival access, exhibition curation, and community-based work, this session explores how memory and public history can serve as tools for resistance and justice.

Moderated by Claire Inouye

The Utility and Pitfalls of Decolonizing Art from a Black Feminist Perspective
This session explores the concept of art as a political intervention during times of Black crisis. While examining the role of art and artists, the presenters will critically assess both the pitfalls and utility of decolonizing museums and artistic practices. The discussion incorporates perspectives from African studies and sex worker politics in artistic intervention, offering a nuanced analysis of how creative expression can challenge institutional power structures while acknowledging the complexities of decolonial frameworks.

Moderated by Monaye Johnson

Identity, Belonging, and the Possibility of Decolonization Work in the Arts and Humanities
This conversation features two United States-based arts professionals: Kajette Solomon, Museum Social Equity Specialist at the RISD Museum, and Kelli Morgan, a Detroit-based independent curator and scholar. Solomon speaks nationally on equity and inclusion, advocating holistic approaches in arts institutions. Morgan operates the Black Artists Archive, a nonprofit supporting Black Diasporic art in Detroit and the Midwest. As the only Black woman on RISD Museum’s senior staff, Solomon offers a vital perspective. Morgan has built a career in major museums and academia, challenging racist policies and their impact on people of color.

The discussion will examine whether marginalized identities can truly belong in museums and explore the possibilities and limits of decolonization work in historically oppressive institutions. Guided by key questions, the speakers will share insights and projects to highlight their respective efforts. Their perspectives are essential to addressing systemic issues and inspiring transformative change within and beyond institutional structures.

Moderated by Florence Blackwell