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New Britain Museum of American Art honors Martin Luther King Jr.

The New Britain Museum of American Art opened its doors in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. The museum hosts “community days” throughout the year, typically on holidays or days when children have a day off from school.

King’s speeches were played over a loudspeaker throughout the day. While patrons toured the exhibits, they could hear his voice almost everywhere -- an audio backdrop to the visual art on the walls.

The community day initiative is part of the museum’s efforts to make its art more financially accessible and to bring in guests who might not normally visit an art museum. Part of this initiative also involves engaging a more diverse group of employees and collaborators.

“We’ve always known the importance of diverse representation, not only on our walls, but who’s at the table,” said Stephanie Strucaly, director of community engagement at the museum.

The museum created a committee of employees, largely from underrepresented groups, to help it plan events like Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and Women’s History Month. It has also partnered with local advocacy groups like the New Britain Latino Coalition.

Tre Brown works at the museum’s cafe and as its poet-in-residence; he also sits on the committee and was enthusiastic about the day’s programming.

“I’ve looked up to Dr. King since I was very young. My grandfather, Walter Clark, while he was alive, he was marching with him,” Brown said. “He gave people like me the opportunity to say, ‘My voice matters.’”

Brown believes his very presence at the museum represents progress in the art community.

“When you see someone like me here, it shows that it doesn’t matter what color you are -- your voice is always going to be heard,” Brown said.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Connecticut Public’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.