NEXT STEPS

After the artist demographic data project is launched, provisions for its continuance, maintenance, and usage are in place, and you have collected a body of demographic data, what comes next? Knowing that this work is an ongoing process, examples of follow-up steps may include:

• Review of the initial data capture among the core team and assessment of the questionnaire’s performance (What is the response rate? Is it filled out correctly? What feedback have you received?).

• Form a community response committee to review the data in depth and consider: What were the initial goals of this endeavor? What are the metrics of success, and how does the implementation measure up against the original goals?

• Work with the data team to create a status report and report of initial statistics.

• Report out to internal and external stakeholders (e.g., the board, collections committee members, community members, the public), especially those who were involved in the conceptualization phase of the process.

• Develop or revisit exhibitions and collections strategies and interpretation plans and documents that are informed by the data and community input on the ongoing work.

• Create programming to generate public discourse about the data and subsequent response.

• Ensure that staff members who have been appointed stewards of the questionnaire (and related data ethics) have the support and resources they need going forward.

• Use the data to drive future decisions about including artists from underrepresented groups.