High Museum to host virtual Wikipedia edit-a-thon to boost entries about women

The Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon will be held virtually amid coronavirus outbreak

Things to know about Atlanta's High Museum of Art

Many of the events that have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic aren't able to be held virtually. But an upcoming event organized by Atlanta's High Museum seems perfectly suited for people stuck at home.

Every year, the museum hosts a Wikipedia edit-a-thon in an attempt to reflect more diverse articles on the online encyclopedia that is dominated by entries about men.

This year, the High's Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon will be held virtually. No experience on Wikipedia is necessary to participate and editors of all gender identities are welcome. All you need is a device with an internet connection.

Similar events are held globally in an attempt to add entries about women, especially women in the arts.

“Less than 17% of Wikipedia’s biographies are about women,” according to the museum. “Wikipedia’s gender gap leaves us with an alarming lack of representation in the world’s most popular online research tool.”

From 9 a.m. to midnight on March 31, participants can edit, update and create Wikipedia articles about art, gender and intersectional feminism. The museum invites participants to focus on the female artists in their local collection, although it notes you can also edit “whichever topic you know best.”

To participate, create a Wikipedia account and log in to the High's Virtual Event Dashboard.

For the uninitiated, there are plenty of online tools to get you started. From tutorials on how editing works on Wikipedia to a list of female artists in the High's collection.

The High also includes links to credible research tools like Google Scholar and open-access content on JSTOR to help guide participants in the right direction.

Any edits made leading up to the event or afterward through April 30 will also be added to the High’s edit totals, so feel free to get started!

DETAILS

Virtual Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon
9 a.m.-11:59 p.m., Tuesday, March 31
Free registration