American Alliance of Museums’ Post

Alli Schell of the Marshall STEAM Museum and Friends of Auburn Heights writes about how supporting small museums can transform the larger museum field. She offers ideas in areas including racial equity, job creation, grant funding, and more.

Including my quote, which hopefully offers an insightful perspective.

At the risk of stating the obvious, most museum practitioners working today are not trained to invite and empower community members to be part of exhibition development processes. In fact, I see little recognition at administrative levels in museums that employee success in this area requires a specific set of skills that takes a lot of time, intention, and professional development to gain and that's in addition to whatever subject matter knowledge a position may require (a topic for another day). But I know from personal experience that good intentions coupled with poor training can cause harm. I love that Isabel Singer describes the inclusion of community voices as a continuum. The level at which a museum engages community voices ought to depend on the capacity they currently have to do the work as well as an honest conversation with community members about where they are on that continuum. But that should not be the end of the story. More training, more practice, more authentic relationship building over the long haul allows museums to grow, and the value and meaning it adds to our institutions is worth it.

#CFCRecommends: Contemporary Collecting Toolkit Are you a museum professional, volunteer, or trustee looking to explore contemporary collecting? This essential toolkit provides a practical introduction for those without prior experience in acquiring recent material, offering the foundational knowledge needed to get started. This resource outlines the key considerations for contemporary collecting projects, from advice on practical steps to inspiring examples from institutions of all sizes. Whether you’re a small organization or a larger museum, this guide helps you tailor projects to your unique resources and needs. Commissioned by Museum Development North West (MDNW) with funding from Arts Council England, this toolkit encourages institutions to embrace the challenges and opportunities of contemporary collecting to keep collections relevant and engaging for future generations. Read it here:

When you think of museums or galleries or auction houses you can’t help but think of buildings. Sometimes old stately stone ones with statues lurking on high. Sometimes modern ones decked out with glass. But what happens when there isn’t a building — when it’s closed for reconstruction, reinvention or rethinking? Without a building what’s an art house to do? From Florida to Oregon, dozens of museums across the country are wrestling with that question. Take the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, for example, which is awaiting a $75 million wing designed by Frederick Fisher and Partners, a project that includes new programming spaces and will become home to Gnatalie — the 75-foot green sauropod skeleton — when it opens in November. Or the Bronx Museum of the Arts, which is undergoing a $33 million renovation to integrate an existing extension into the building and relocate the entrance. Designed by Marvel, the renovation is expected to last until 2026.

🎨 **The Art of Curating: A Journey Through Time and Space** Hello, everyone! Today, I'd like to take a moment to appreciate the incredible world of art curation and research. 🖼️ Art curation is not just about selecting and arranging works of art; it's about telling a story, sparking curiosity, and creating an unforgettable journey for viewers. It's about bridging the gap between the artist's vision and the audience's perception. 🌉 In the realm of art research, we delve into the depths of history, culture, and human creativity. We uncover the stories behind every brushstroke, every chisel mark, and every creative decision. 🕵️♀️ Museums and art organizations play a crucial role in this journey. They are the vessels that carry these curated collections and researched stories to the public, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of art. 🏛️ As we move forward, let's continue to celebrate the beauty of art, the importance of curation, and the value of research. Let's continue to support our museums and art organizations, for they are the gatekeepers of our cultural heritage. 🎉 Stay tuned for more insights and discussions on these topics. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let's engage, learn, and grow together in our shared love for art. 🙌 #ArtCuration #ArtResearch #Museums #ArtOrganizations #ArtAppreciation

Art is as old as human history, but art museums as we know them are relatively modern institutions that have always adapted to reflect their times. No longer identifying themselves as stewards of artwork for people who can afford to collect it, many museums now embrace their nonprofit status to serve and engage the public at large. But how is such transformation reflected in museum operations, and how can museums leverage innovation to support their evolving missions? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJ_AdjwD By Stephen Reily, Remuseum

As visitor expectations continue to evolve, so too must museum spaces. Gone are the days when museums were simply places to view artifacts behind glass. Today’s audiences seek interactive, personalized experiences that resonate on a deeper level. Adapting to these changing demands is essential for museums to remain relevant and engaging. This evolution involves rethinking traditional layouts and incorporating flexible spaces that can accommodate a variety of experiences, from hands-on activities to multimedia presentations. Creating adaptive museum spaces requires a balance between preserving the integrity of the collection and introducing new, engaging elements. It’s about understanding that visitors are not just passive observers but active participants in their learning journey. Whether it’s through modular exhibit designs that can be easily updated or creating communal areas that encourage social interaction, the goal is to create environments that are both inviting and intellectually stimulating. By staying attuned to the needs and desires of modern audiences, Riggs Ward Design helps museums transform their spaces into dynamic environments that inspire curiosity and foster lifelong learning. 📷 MUSE Winston-Salem #exhibitdesign #exhibitiondesign #exhibitdesigners #exhibitiondesigners #evolvingmuseums #museums #museumculture #museumprofessionals #communitydesign 

For the 2024 D&AD Annual, ArtReview’s Director of Digital Louise Benson explores the numerous campaigns and creative work for museums and cultural institutions in the 2024 D&AD Awards. She unpacks how branding plays a key role in museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Ontario Museum are fulfilling their goals of connecting contemporary and local audiences with their collections. Museums can be intimidating spaces, says Benson. Steeped in the violence of colonial history, weighed down by imposing architecture, and shrouded in often-obscure systems of knowledge, they are political and represent a significant source of soft power for a nation. But some institutions are looking to shake up that perspective. Among others, Benson takes a look at Lafayette American’s rebrand for Toledo Museum of Art, which is a playful exploration of the ongoing reinterpretation spanning from ancient to modern within the institution’s walls. Co-Founder Toby Barlow, explains, “We’re inviting people to interact and engage in a stronger way, taking these elements out of the archive and saying, ‘See what you can do with this. See how it reflects the way you can approach and play with art and the way you can move it around inside your own mind.’” Read the full feature here: https://lnkd.in/ecg8WzZ9 #dandad24 #museumvisit #brandrefresh #branding #brandinginspiration #brandingproject

History is never a one-size-fits-all situation, and neither is storage. With tailored solutions, you can easily manage diverse and growing collections. From colossal flags to delicate artifacts, discover how custom storage helps museums like the USS Yorktown Museum and the Delta Flight Museum preserve history: #MuseumStorage #ArtifactStorage #CurateWithCare https://hubs.la/Q02xfN6C0