How to Run an Institution in an Anti-Institution Era | Better in Person

Running major public institutions in an era of declining trust requires balancing core values with intense external pressures. Institutions like the Brooklyn Museum and Wesleyan University serve as vital public spaces for dialogue, reality-testing, and intellectual experimentation rather than mere resume-building or escapism. Leaders must navigate political volatility—such as the aftermath of the October 7th attacks—by maintaining principled, courageous stances while fostering environments where diverse viewpoints can coexist. While fundraising remains a constant necessity, the long-term survival of these institutions depends on their ability to model inclusivity and provide meaningful, shared human experiences. Integrating AI into these environments offers new opportunities to enhance accessibility and deepen engagement with art and education, provided these tools remain a complement to, rather than a replacement for, the essential social and physical presence of these public spaces.