Smithsonian Exhibition on Implicit Bias Comes to JANM on November 18, 2023

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Bias Inside Us, a nationally touring exhibition about implicit bias, will be on view at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) from November 18, 2023–January 28, 2024. Presented by JANM’s National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) and organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), the exhibition discusses the social science and psychology of implicit bias, its impact, and what people can do about it. 

“This exhibition can be the first step for visitors to reflect on how bias shapes their interactions, daily lives, and worldview. By bringing The Bias Inside Us to JANM the Democracy Center asks visitors to examine everyday issues around race, identity, and social justice and challenge one another to be more inclusive and mindful as we navigate intersectionality and tough conversations with our friends, family, and communities,” said James E. Herr, director of the Democracy Center.

Through compelling images, hands-on interactives, and powerful testimonials throughout six sections The Bias Inside Us gives visitors the opportunity to challenge bias in the world through awareness of one’s own bias. The exhibition’s six sections are Introduction, The Science of Bias, Bias in Real Life, Serious Consequences — Bias is All Around Us, #RetrainYourBrain, and Personal Reflection.

“Bias is part of being human,” said Myriam Springuel, director of SITES and Smithsonian Affiliations. “Our goal through The Bias Inside Us is to help individuals understand and counter their implicit bias and help communities thrive through conversation and greater understanding.” 

Major support for The Bias Inside Us is provided by the Otto Bremer Trust. Additional support provided by Acton Family Giving, Anonymous donors, The Beverly Foundation, Steve and Sheri Lear, Target, the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation, Thomson Reuters, Alabama Power Foundation, Allianz of America, Valerie E. and William A. Anders, Atlanta Gas Light Foundation, Julie and David Burton, the Dreier Family, Lennart Ehn and Ginger Lew, Expedia, Trevor and Melissa Fetter, the Roger S. Firestone Foundation, Brenda J. Gaines, Myra Hart and Kent Hewitt, Charlie and Nancy Hogan, Judy and Bob Huret, Dr. Christine C. Jenkins and Mr. Pierre A. France, KNOCK, inc., Sarah Lawer and Frank Guanco, Leaders Forum, Kathleen Mason, Elyse Rabinowitz and Jim Porter, Dr. Philip S. and Alice Hoolihan Randall, Gloria del C. Rodriguez, the Family of Leona Roen, and Naoma Tate.

The Bias Inside Us is based on an original concept developed by Tolerance in Motion: Steve Lear, Laura Zelle and Elyse Rabinowitz, founders; Ellen Glatstein, Laura Lipshutz, Alice Randall, Joanne Jones-Rizzi and Susan Shapiro, directors; Don Shelby, founding advisor; and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, Steve Hunegs, executive director.

###

About the Japanese American National Museum (JANM)

Established in 1985, JANM promotes understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience. Located in the historic Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles, JANM is a center for civil rights, ensuring that the hard-fought lessons of the World War II incarceration are not forgotten. A Smithsonian Affiliate and one of America’s Cultural Treasures, JANM is a hybrid institution that straddles traditional museum categories. JANM is a center for the arts as well as history. It provides a voice for Japanese Americans and a forum that enables all people to explore their own heritage and culture. Since opening to the public in 1992, JANM has presented over 100 exhibitions onsite while traveling 40 exhibits to venues such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Ellis Island Museum in the United States, and to several leading cultural museums in Japan and South America. JANM is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday–Sunday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and on Thursday from 12 p.m.–8 p.m. JANM is free every third Thursday of the month. On all other Thursdays, JANM is free from 5 p.m.–8 p.m. For more information, visit janm.org or follow us on social media @jamuseum.

About Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service | Smithsonian Affiliations (SITES|Affiliations)

SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 70 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science, and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. For exhibition description and tour schedules, visit sites.si.edu.