The National Women’s History Museum and Blue Telescope, our collaborative partner on interactive exhibition media, have been named a 2023 Gold Winner recipient of the Muse Award for Experiential & Immersive – Exhibition Experience for our new exhibition, We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC.

The exhibition, installed at the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC, features two large-scale interactive experiences. The first, Our Black Feminist Futures, presents the wisdom of Black feminist scholars and cultural icons, along with gorgeous images of Black Feminism in everyday life from political activism to familial joy. With a welcome video from Oprah Winfrey, these messages of inspiration, hope, and power serve to remind visitors of why this work matters.

The second interactive, a Black Feminist DC Network Map, connects the individual stories of 25 historic activists throughout the Washington, DC area—including Loretta Ross, Ophelia Settle Egypt, Mary Treadwell, and Eleanor Holmes Norton—and shows how each participated in the overlapping key political and social movements of their time. The chronology of stories, images, and interactive videos of Black Feminist DC show how Black feminists have fought for a definition of freedom and liberation that extended beyond their individual circumstances—work that remains unfinished today.

Curated by renowned historians Drs. Sherie M. Randolph and Kendra T. Field, the exhibition focuses on the stories and voices of Black feminist organizers and theorists whose expansive work made a difference in the lives of Black women in their Washington, DC communities and for all people throughout the United States.

"We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC is our first physical exhibition launched in partnership with a significant cultural institution," says Frédérique Irwin, president and CEO of the National Women's History Museum. "To see the stories of inspirational Black feminists come to life in such an accessible way—to both the local community and broader national community through technology—has been inspiring. It is deeply rewarding for the exhibition to receive an award for its technological innovation, as our Museum seeks to leverage multiple modes of technology to reach as many people as possible with stories of women’s history.”

"We were honored to collaborate with the museum team, scholars, and Tessellate Design, and to have that work recognized with this award," says Trent Oliver, principal and managing director, Blue Telescope. "It is a privilege to work on projects that highlight the stories and impacts of those who are often overlooked, and We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC does just that. We are proud of our partnership with the National Women’s History Museum, and to lift up the stories of these iconic people who laid the groundwork for some of our country’s most historic moments."

The award, which recognizes technological innovation, follows in the Museum’s tradition of utilizing cutting-edge technology and creating digital experiences in the service of women’s history learning.

About the MUSE Creative Awards:

The MUSE Creative Awards, established in 2015 by the International Awards Associate (IAA) as part of the MUSE Awards Program, celebrates and honors excellence and innovation in creative design, advertising, and digital media. IAA was founded with a mission not only to honor and promote but also to redefine benchmarks for recognizing exceptional design and media contributions. This mission has been central in molding the ethos and aspirations of the MUSE Creative Awards.

Spanning a diverse range of categories, the MUSE Creative Awards recognizes the best achievements from advertising to digital media, as well as in marketing strategies and PR communications. Entrants from all corners of the world participate, showcasing creative advertising, design, and campaigns that inspire and set new benchmarks in the industry.