Inclusion by Design
Designing attractions, exhibits, and experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind can ultimately lead to a greater sense of belonging for our visitors. To do this well, we should reconsider how we design and who helps design. In the same vein of considering physical inclusivity like wheelchair accessibility, we should also explore social inclusivity: cultures and the history of the land and artifacts. Thoroughly researching the culture of a location and including people from the community can lead to more authentic and inclusive attractions.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s booth at the Cambodian New Year Festival. Photo Courtesy of Dean Watanabe
Community Research and Engagement
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, CA., is building a new exhibit called Kingdoms of Asia. Set to open in 2023, the space will include tigers, sloth bears, and Komodo dragons. Since the animals are representative of Southeast Asia, the entire area will also reflect the region’s culture, people, traditions, and stories. While envisioning the new space, leaders at the Fresno Zoo looked to the great temples of Cambodia—and enlisted advice and input from the local community. Fresno is home to a large Southeast Asian American population, including those of Lao, Hmong, and Cambodian descent. Zoo leaders knew a marvelous opportunity when they saw it and enlisted advice and input from their local community. They started with old-fashioned cold calls and emails and soon found their way to Henry Delcore, a professor of Anthropology at Fresno State. Professor Delcore was willing and able to make introductions to local groups such as United Khmer Cultural Preservation, the Fresno Center, and the Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society. Dean Watanabe, Chief Mission Officer of the Fresno Chaffe Zoo, says, “You just have to be willing to get into the community and be willing to hear what they say.”
The connection with the local community helped the zoo fully integrate the Southeast Asian cultural story into the design. The Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society allowed the zoo to take reference photos at the local Cambodian Buddhist Temple, shared details about artwork, and consulted with their head monk to learn about some of the spiritual meaning behind aspects of the design. According to Watanabe, the advice and feedback provided enabled the design to “lean into the architecture.” For example, the pool in the tiger enclosure becomes part of the story—it’s a cistern at the temple rather than just a random natural pool that has appeared. Even service buildings are part of the story rather than spaces to be hidden.
Cultural advisors for Kingdoms of Asia. Photo Courtesy of Dean Watanabe
Watanabe recognizes the challenges that a cultural advisory committee can create. He says, “they may tell you your design is wrong” and that it will take longer and may change your initial plans, but stresses the benefits outweigh those obstacles. He explains, “Inviting the community to be part of the design process allows the Kingdoms of Asia exhibit to be more authentic and culturally relevant without the fear of getting it wrong.” For example, during the design process, a rock formation representing the Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom featured one face during the design process. After consultation with the cultural advisory committee, the design was updated to include four faces in order to preserve the original design intent and spiritual significance.
Storytelling is also central to the interpretation of Kingdoms of Asia. One area will feature Fresno residents from Southeast Asia sharing their journey to the Central Valley. Guests are then encouraged to use an interactive map to share their family’s journey. The cafe in the area will also include culturally significant and authentic Southeast Asian food, allowing the zoo to tell the story of the spice trade in Southeast Asia while making connections to modern-day Southeast Asia.
Watanabe says that engaging with people the zoo has not engaged with previously has allowed them to become relevant to a new part of the community. “The cultural advisory group allows us to invite voices in, listen to them, and translate them into our operations.” In turn, the community becomes more engaged and interactive with the zoo, and together they create a richer and deeper experience for all to enjoy.
Brigette Jones, Director of Equitable Partnerships at Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery. Photo Credit: Fox17 News
Power in Person
Cultural advisory groups aren't only important when working with cultures outside our borders; they are also vital when working with populations who live within our borders. Authentically representing people has not always been a priority. Consider the many museums focusing on Native Americans built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some museum decision-makers never asked for any input from Native nations. The same may be said for plantations. How many plantations only toured visitors through the parlors and ballrooms without mentioning the enslaved people who made those parlors and ballrooms possible? One plantation that is working to explore its history fully is Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery in Nashville, TN. Brigette Jones, Director of Equitable Partnerships at Belle Meade, explains the importance of Black representation at plantations, “There has been a lack of visibility of Black people in these spaces with an emotionally charged history. Black people don’t want to come back to places like this. Because of that, the story was told in a way that was comfortable for white people and told in a way that didn’t make white people feel guilty. But this is the story of people who are like me. If you feel guilty, imagine how I feel. Me telling the story is different. My ancestors were enslaved. When people see me, I speak from my personal experience as a descendant. A personal connection to the story is where the difference lies.”
NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE:
In next week’s Destinology, Brigette Jones shares more about “power in person” and its impact on authentic storytelling.
Note: Throughout this series, we will follow the AP Style Book and use the term people of color when referring to people of any race other than non-Hispanic white. We sincerely apologize in advance if this choice creates discomfort, and we welcome any reader to contact us and continue the discussion.
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