Whose Work Is It Anyways? An Exploration of Racial Frames in Creative Learning Organizations

• In Event: Using Organizational Theory to Examine the Pursuit of Equity and Improvement in Educational Systems

Abstract

Creative learning organizations (CLOs) play an increasingly important role in the education system--and the pursuit of racial inequity. Despite recent DEIA efforts many such organizations serve disproportionately White and affluent visitors This is particularly true among museums, while less so in community-based organizations, even those that provide similar experiences. Utilizing public-facing website text, we analyzed CLOs statements about their organizational identity and commitments to racial equity. Preliminary findings identified five overlapping organizational fields in which CLOs hold membership. However, despite small differences across fields, most CLOs make use of predominantly race- and equity- evasive frames. Future analyses will investigate qualitative differences in racial equity frames across organizational fields, highlighting areas of learning for the sector as a whole.

Authors

• Ashlyn Salvage, University of Pittsburgh

• Eleanor Anderson, University of Pittsburgh