Minneapolis, Minn. - On Friday, July 28, 2023 - The Bakken Museum was presented with the Association of Midwest Museum’s Groundbreakers Award for their public Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Report. As a step in The Bakken Museum’s ongoing organizational change efforts related to DEAI, this award recognizes “broken ground” on DEAI work, pushing past boundaries, breaking conventions, and addressing oppressive structures and systems in the pursuit of a better, more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future.  

The Bakken Museum’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Report is a tool the museum is using to hold themselves accountable to their 2022-2024 strategic plan and their DEAI Theory of Change. Derived from the Museums & Race Report Card, the museum’s DEAI Report describes what they have accomplished, what they are still working on, and what work is yet to come. Acknowledging that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion work begins at the individual level and that gradual changes in orientations towards difference at an individual and organizational level can be difficult to see, the DEAI Report allows The Bakken to call attention to, and critically reflect on, the work they have done. It is also a place to acknowledge where they feel they may fall short and an opportunity to model how they “show up” after they have made a mistake or not met a commitment. This accountability is critical as the museum strives for long-term outcomes and impact. 

Each year, the Association of Midwest Museums honors members throughout the Midwest region for leadership, career achievements, and best practices with the following awards: Distinguished Career Award, Promising Leadership Award, Best Practices Award, and Groundbreakers Award. 

About The Bakken Museum  

The Bakken Museum inspires a passion for innovation by exploring the potential of science, technology, and the humanities to make the world a better place. Located on the West shore of Bde Maka Ska, the museum features interactive exhibits for all ages, a world-renowned collection of artifacts, and exceptional STEM education programs. For more information, visit thebakken.org. Find @thebakkenmusem on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

About the Association of Midwest Museums 

Since its founding in 1927, the Association of Midwest Museums (AMM) has sought to connect museums across the eight-state region of the Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Our mission is to strengthen museums in the Midwest by providing nationally relevant, regionally specific programs, products, and networking opportunities. Through our programs and activities, AMM encourages professional standards for all areas of museum administration and provides cutting-edge information and resources to museums and cultural institutions in the Midwest and the greater museum community. For more information on the Association of Midwest Museums, visit midwestmuseums.org. 

PRESS CONTACT:
Joe Imholte 
Executive Vice President 
imholte@thebakken.org | 612-446-3108