Vision

To flourish as an exceptional hub of artistic and creative energies that enriches and transforms people’s lives in our community, our nation, and the world.

Mission

We:

1. Present exhibitions, performances, and programs that challenge and inspire.
2. Seek tomorrow’s masterpieces while developing our world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art.
3. Create education programs for lifelong learning and discovery.
4. Engage and empower widening, inclusive audiences.
5. Inspire open dialogue and common understanding.

Values

We strive for excellence, innovation, and sustainability in everything we do.

IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility)

As the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, we strive to incorporate the principles set forth in our Unity of Purpose Statement throughout all preparatory work. This will ensure that the Buffalo AKG begins its new chapter in the history of the institution with Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility centered in all aspects of how we engage with people—our leadership, staff, volunteers, members, and community.

Following the opening of the Buffalo AKG, we commit to continuing the journey of ensuring that the values of this plan inform the development and operation of the museum.

Unity of Purpose

The Buffalo AKG Art Museum is committed at every level of our institution to building the physical, philosophical, and ethical foundations to ensure that the Buffalo AKG is a vital and dynamic museum for everyone.

Beyond our world-renowned collection and expanded and refurbished facilities, we recognize that our strength lies in people—the staff, volunteers, Board, and members who contribute their time and talents to the institution; and the broad, diverse array of individuals and families whom our community comprises. Ensuring that we are welcoming and inclusive of diverse experiences and points of view throughout every level of our organization is integral to sustaining institutional vitality and flourishing in the future as the Buffalo AKG. At the same time, ensuring that the museum is welcoming and inclusive of the diversity of individuals in our community is our responsibility as a community asset, as well as being vital to successfully achieving our goal of helping to build a stronger, revitalized Western New York region. Throughout the last decade, we have heeded the call to move the institution in this direction by pursuing numerous programmatic and organizational efforts and changes. Though many of these have been successful, it is clear that a formal, transparent, and strategic approach is required to achieve the wide-ranging, holistic changes we believe are necessary for the future of the Buffalo AKG.

With that in mind, we have committed to the intentional advancement of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) in all aspects of our institution’s operations. Becoming the Buffalo AKG is not only an architectural transformation but also an institutional one, and one that upholds welcoming and belonging as principal values.

Informed by our Strategic Plan 2016-2026, our coordinated work towards IDEA will activate and enhance our vision of being an exceptional hub of artistic and creative energies that enriches and transforms people’s lives in our community, our nation, and our world.

We define Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) in alignment with the American Alliance of Museums as follows:

INCLUSION: For the Buffalo AKG, this means committing to ongoing work and conversations with all of the many communities we serve – and among the staff, board, volunteers, and members whom our institution comprises – to ensure our revitalized museum is a welcoming resource that belongs to all, regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or level of ability.

DIVERSITY: For the Buffalo AKG, this means committing to including a diversity of experience, viewpoints, and skills, as we build and sustain our staff, board, volunteers, membership, and audience.

EQUITY: For the Buffalo AKG, this means committing to genuine listening, thoughtful reflection, and purposeful action that will increase equity in our staffing, board, volunteers, membership, business practices, programming, and community engagement.

ACCESSIBILITY: For the Buffalo AKG, this means sustaining and enhancing our efforts to share art with the diverse communities of Western New York while identifying and addressing physical, economic, and sociocultural barriers to participation.

Our commitment to IDEA reflects and is predicated on our commitment to people. As we work to build a culture of inclusion and community-informed practices we will also create avenues for internal and external feedback and dialogue that are necessary to hold the institution accountable.

We are united in our purpose and vision of becoming the Buffalo AKG, and we look forward to working together to build a museum that Western New York communities want and deserve—one in which all can take pride of ownership and belonging.

IDEA Action Plan

The museum's Inclusive Culture Team is coordinating ongoing efforts on a suite of IDEA Action Items through 2024 and beyond. View IDEA Action Plan