New Smithsonian 'The Bias Inside Us' Touring Exhibit Includes NIOT Activism

Not In Our Town is honored to be a community partner for the Bias Inside Us, a groundbreaking exhibit about how to recognize and counter implicit bias.

Laura Zelle next to The Bias Inside Us exhibit, featuring Not In Our Town.

While in Minneapolis for a screening of Repairing the World, NIOT leader Patrice O’Neill visited the Science Museum Exhibit of The Bias Inside Us, a community engagement project featuring a Smithsonian traveling exhibition. The exhibit was conceived and led by Laura Zelle of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota. Nearly six years ago, Laura approached NIOT about being part of the exhibit. She found a powerful sponsor and co-creator in the Smithsonian SITES traveling exhibit program. The traveling exhibit is designed as a centerpiece for local programs and activities that raise awareness about the science and history of bias and what people can do about it.

Minneapolis community members visit The Bias Inside Us exhibit, featuring Not In Our Town.

Featured in the exhibit are images from Not In Our Town in a section about people standing up in the face of hate that chronicles NIOT's work in communities for more than 25 years.

Thousands of visitors have seen the touring exhibit as it spread to cities in the Upper Midwest. In 2024-25, the exhibit will be in California, Texas, and the Northeast. Community institutions (libraries, museums, colleges) can apply to host the exhibit in their cities. Only three sites will be chosen in California. If you want to host this illuminating presentation in your town, please be in touch us at info [at] niot.org and we will put you in touch with the traveling exhibit planners.  

You can also interact with much of the exhibit on the Smithsonian's fantastic website: The Bias Inside Us. The project is grounded in research that teaches us that bias is inside everyone. It is part of being human.

Thanks again to Laura Zelle at the JCRC of Minnesota for including us in this incredible project. We are honored to be a part of it and look forward to hearing from NIOT communities interested in hosting the exhibit in their communities.

Interested in hosting an exhibit, please contact Bias Inside Us Outreach Director: Odia Wood Krueger WoodKruegerO@si.edu