A Vision for Inclusion: Opening the Museum to All of Atlanta
When Randall Suffolk became director of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta seven years ago, he set out with a bold mission: to make the museum more accessible and reflective of the city’s rich cultural diversity. Alongside the museum’s classic pieces—what Suffolk affectionately calls “old friends”—he introduced a wide range of exhibitions featuring underrepresented voices and contemporary visions.
“We want every walk of life, every color of the rainbow, coming to experience their museum,” Suffolk emphasized during a recent interview. “Art encourages us to think critically about ourselves and the world. That kind of reflection helps build better citizens—and a stronger society.”
The Shift Toward a More Diverse and Younger Audience
The transformation at the High Museum is visible in the numbers. In 2015, only 15% of visitors identified as non-white. Today, that number exceeds 57%. Additionally, more than 50% of recent exhibitions have highlighted women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ artists.
This demographic shift is especially apparent among younger generations. Nearly 70% of the High’s visitors are under the age of 55, and a striking 55% are under 35. Membership has increased by 27%, even during the challenges of the pandemic, bringing the museum’s household membership total to 33,000.
Making Art More Accessible: Lower Prices and Free Sundays
Accessibility is at the heart of Suffolk’s strategy. Admission was reduced to $18.50, and the introduction of Second Sundays—free museum days every second Sunday of the month—has become a game changer.
Before the program, Sunday attendance averaged around 1,650. Now, it regularly reaches 4,300. And that doesn’t include the 50,000+ schoolchildren who visit each year on guided tours.
Programs like Art Access help Southern Crescent schools cover admission and even transportation. “We’ve doubled down to engage the next two generations,” Suffolk says. “And it’s working.”
Cultural Exposure for Students in Metro Atlanta
Flashay Benford, a Media Specialist at Stockbridge High School, took her art students to the High during Black History Month. For many, it was their first time outside of Henry County.
“They could finally see Black artists in a major museum,” she said. “It gave them a window into a bigger world.”
Latiefa Hairston, from ASAP Gender Academy at Bear Creek Elementary, said the art on display reflected her students’ everyday lives. “They saw artists who looked like people they ride MARTA with,” she explained.
One artist who captivated her students was El Anatsui, a Ghanaian sculptor using unconventional materials like aluminum pull tabs. Another standout was Vik Muniz, the Brazilian artist famous for creating art with peanut butter and jelly.
“One student said, ‘I didn’t know there were Black people in Brazil,’” Hairston shared. “That’s the kind of mind-expanding moment art can create.”
Teachers Highlight the Impact of Experiential Learning
Teachers agree: visiting the High offers far more than a break from the classroom. It enhances core skills like creative thinking, patience, and problem-solving.
“It’s one thing to show art in class, but seeing it in a museum changes everything,” said Ayaana Thompson, a 5th-grade teacher at Lake Ridge Elementary.
“Art teaches kids to think outside the box—skills that employers value,” added Elise Gomez, Visual Arts Lead at Arnold Elementary.
Gomez recalled the joy of being thanked by students with hugs and excitement. “It was one of those moments that reminds you why teaching matters.”
Challenging Traditional Museum Narratives
The High is actively rewriting its story—not just through programming, but by changing who sees themselves as welcome in the space. Contrary to outdated perceptions of museums as elite spaces for the highly educated, the High’s data shows:
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44% of visitors have less than a bachelor’s degree
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42% earn under $70,000 a year
“Without people, museums are just fancy storage units with gift shops,” Suffolk noted. “That’s not who we want to be. Our mission is about people.”