Boston Black at Boston Children’s Museum

Michael Joyce, Principal at ADI, was asked to take part in a design charrette in 2000 to help Boston Children’s Museum prepare a grant request to the National Endowment for the Humanities for an exhibit on the Black communities in Boston. The exhibit experience needed to appeal to culturally diverse audiences; respect the values of diverse Black communities in Boston and provide parents, caregivers, and educators with the tools to talk with their children about race, culture, ethnicity and identity. Importance was given to creating multiple entries to “shops,” large windows and doorways to enhance the sightlines and create interesting perspectives. Rotaries become defining feature of the circulation—just like they are in Boston. ADI was subsequently hired and completed the design for the 3,400 SF permanent exhibit that opened in July, 2004.