News
Call for Session Proposals for the 2011 AAM Conference
The theme for the 2011 AAM Conference, to be held in Houston, is the future of museums, in all its dimensions: future use of technology, future staffing/board needs; future relationships with community, and more.
The deadline for submission of proposals is July 16th. Preference from AAM will be given to proposals that align well with the conference theme, offer innovative formats, aim at the Nuts and Bolts novice level, and/or include small museums as part of the panel. NAME will recommend and endorse proposals that fit the theme as well, from the perspective of museum exhibition.
Proposals are entered electronically at AAM website. NAME will work with members as they develop proposals, making suggestions for partners, content focus, and appropriate SPC endorsements. Contact Rita or Judy from NAME if you have a proposal that is appropriate to NAME and if you have any questions or needs. Any problems with entering your proposals into the website should be addressed to Dean Phelus at dphelus@aam-us.org.
Think innovative, future-oriented thoughts!
The theme for the 2011 AAM Conference, to be held in Houston, is the future of museums, in all its dimensions: future use of technology, future staffing/board needs; future relationships with community, and more. The deadline for submission of proposals is July 16th. Preference from AAM will be given to proposals that align well with the conference theme, offer innovative formats, aim at the Nuts and Bolts novice level, and/or include small museums as part of the panel. NAME will recommend and endorse proposals that fit the theme as well, from the perspective of museum exhibition. Proposals are entered electronically at AAM website. NAME will work with members as they develop proposals, making suggestions for partners, content focus, and appropriate SPC endorsements. Contact Rita or Judy from NAME if you have a proposal that is appropriate to NAME and if you have any questions or needs. Any problems with entering your proposals into the website should be addressed to Dean Phelus at dphelus@aam-us.org. Think innovative, future-oriented thoughts!
Call for Session Proposals for the 2011 AAM Conference
Eat, Drink, Dance and Debate with NAME in Los Angeles!
In addition to the many sessions NAME is sponsoring at AAM, we are excited to present four unusual and energizing events at the upcoming AAM conference. Each of these is a chance to make new contacts, mingle with old friends, and learn about current exhibition trends. Don't forget to include some of these in your conference registration (http://www.aam-us.org/am10/)
Event #1: Building the NAME Network/Conversations in Exhibits
Sunday, May 23
9:30 AM-1:30 PM
$35.00
Teams spanning all fields of museum work and levels of experience will go out and about Los Angeles to visit a variety of exhibitions, and to discuss, wrangle, and tackle topics facing museums today. This popular program returns for the third consecutive year.
(Sponsored by Tru Vue, Inc., Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc., Chicago Scenic Studios, Inc., RGI Intl, Thinkwell)
Event #5: NAME Party at the Panorama
Sunday, May 23
6:00 PM-10:00 PM
$50.00
Eat, drink, and dance at the Velaslavasay Panorama at Union Station. The Panorama depicts a 360 degree view of the mystical frozen North. If that's too chilly, warm up in the lush tropical pleasure garden featuring a sinister carnivorous flora. Dinner included.
(Sponsored by Gecko Group, Sparks)
Event #37: NAME Lunch/Museum Exhibition Issues
Tuesday, May 25
12:15 PM-1:45 PM
$40.00
We've revised how NAME approaches the ever popular and occasionally infamous exhibition critique session. We've decided to continue the conversation over lunch. After completing a short business meeting, we will continue NAME's critique session on Hollywood Chinese: The Arthur Dong Collection at the Chinese American Museum of LA. View clips from the documentary film that inspired the exhibition, meet Arthur Dong himself and engage in dialogue about the exhibition's intent, and whether or not it works.
(Sponsored by Tru Vue, Inc., Exhibit IQ, The Nassal Company, Superior Exhibits & Design, Inc., UJMN Architects + Designers)
Workshop # 105: Storytelling Bootcamp
Tuesday, May 25
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
$50.00
Storytelling is at the heart of what we do regardless of our roles within museums. In this fast-paced, object-centered workshop, participants will go beyond rhetoric to learn the art and science of telling a good story. Experience a wide range of storytelling methods and strategies and then work collaboratively to create your own story.
Deadline Extended! 2010 AAM Annual Meeting Student
and Professional Fellowships
The deadline for the NAME fellowship application is extended to February 10, 2010.
NAME will fund three fellowships (two students and one New Museum Professional) for the 2010 AAM Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. The fellowship will include conference registration, a $500 travel stipend, and attendance at NAME events with a NAME mentor.
Download eligibility requirements and application information for 2010 AAM Annual Meeting Student and Professional Fellowships.
Visit the website of the American Association of Museums for more information about the Fellowships.
Contact Douglas Simpson, dsimpson@c7a.com, if you have questions.
22nd Annual Excellence in Exhibition Competition
Entries are currently being accepted for the 22nd Annual Excellence in Exhibition Competition. The competition recognizes outstanding achievement in exhibition from all types of museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens and non-commercial institutions offering exhibitions to the public. All exhibitions regardless of size or budget will be considered. The exhibition must have opened to the public between November 30, 2007 and November 30, 2009. Institutions submitting entries must have one team member who is a member of AAM. The deadline for entries is January 11, 2010(Postmark Date). Winners will be announced at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Museums in Los Angeles in 2010, and will receive national recognition in the AAM publication Museum News. In addition, all entries will be displayed at the Marketplace of Ideas.
Download AAM's Standards for Museum Exhibitions and Indicators of Excellence.
Download the Guidelines and Entry Form for the 22nd Annual Excellence in Exhibition Competition.
The Exhibition Competition is jointly sponsored by four standing professional committees of the American Association of Museums -- the National Association for Museum Exhibition (NAME), the Curators' Committee (CurCom), the Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation (CARE) and the Committee on Education (EdCom).
Collection Management Webinar
Tuesday, July 14, is the last day to register for the live AAM webinar, Collections Conundrums! Solving Collection Management Mysteries. Join Jeanne Benas, Rebecca Buck, and Jean Gilmore in a practical review of collection issues made more difficult by dwindling resources, energy and time. Topics to be covered include institutional guidelines, processing incoming objects, accessioning, and keeping track of collections. Come armed with your toughest collection conundrums and your best efforts to "stump the experts."
What:
Live Webinar!
Collections Conundrums! Solving Collection Management Mysteries.
When:
July 15, 2009
2-3:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Where:
Online
How Much:
AAM members register for only $25!
For more information and to register, visit:
http://www.aam-us.org/getinvolved/learn/collectionsconundrums.cfm
AAM 2010 Session Proposals
It is time to submit proposals for next year's AAM Annual Meeting!
The American Association of Museums 2010 Annual Meeting takes place in Los Angeles, from May 23 - 27. The theme for the 2010 meeting is Museums Without Borders. While proposals may include any topic related to developing visitor experiences, those relating to the meeting theme are given greater consideration by the AAM Program Committee. Some topics that relate directly to the meeting theme include the following:
- Learning how best to engage publics in new ways
- How museums have succeeded, or not, in responding to different communities including minorities, immigrants, and children
- How museums have succeeded or not succeeded in creating networks with other museums in the United States and abroad.
- What we've learned about what works with nontraditional audiences.
If you have any questions feel free to contact Wayne LaBar or Judy Koke, the program chairs. Submit your proposals by July 10th to:
Judy Koke judy_koke@ago.net
Wayne LaBar wlabar@lsc.org
AAM 2007
With the generous assistance of Randi Korn & Associates, who kindly donated their time and services to us, NAME recently conducted an on-line survey of our members in order to find out how we could serve you better. Reflecting our members’ commitment to NAME, the response rate to the survey was an amazing 49%. The Board of Directors has already begun to use the survey findings to guide improvements, such as the re-design of this website.
Another important result of the survey findings has been a significant overhaul of the annual exhibition competition. To manage this competition, NAME works closely with the Curators’ Committee (CurCom), the Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation (CARE), and the Educators’ Committee (EdCom). Guided by NAME’s survey results, last fall the co-chairs of these committees re-wrote the competition entry requirements, making it easier to prepare a submission, and putting the emphasis back on exhibits and outcomes. As a result of these changes, the number of entries doubled this year, representing submissions from a wide variety of institutions. All the entries will be on view at the AAM conference in Chicago Marketplace of Ideas (Monday afternoon, May 14, 3:30 – 5:30 pm), and winners will be announced at the session called, “The Nineteenth Annual Excellence in Exhibition Competition” (Tuesday morning, May 15, 10:30 – 11:45 am).
In Chicago, we also hope to spark additional discussion about excellence in exhibitions, and about the competition. The Marketplace will include a graffiti wall where you can share your comments on this year’s changes, and make suggestions for the future. We will invite you to discuss these and other ideas for continuing to improve the competition at the NAME Business Breakfast (Tuesday, May 15, 7:30 – 8:30).
The member survey underlined how much value our members place on NAME’s programming at the annual conference. In Chicago, we will once again present a strong series of sessions; you’ll find a complete listing of sessions in the Meetings/Workshops section of this website. Among the highlights will be a session titled “Exhibit RFPs: Things We Learned the Hard Way" (Wednesday, May 16, 9:00 – 10:15 am). This program, which compliments the new issue of Exhibitionist as well as RFP resources posted here at the website, fulfills a long-term goal of NAME. It offers a range of informed perspectives on the search-and-hire process, and we believe it will contribute to successful collaborations between individuals and institutions.
After an absence of several years, returning to the program is a new take on an old favorite: the exhibition critique session (Monday, May 14, 9:00 – 10:15 am). Once again, we’ll be taking up an in-depth discussion of a single exhibition – this year’s it’s the Shedd Aquarium’s installation, “Wild Reef.” In a new and improved format, the panel will discuss the exhibition from perspectives ranging from summative evaluation to out-and-out critique.
One of the dilemmas of attending the AAM conference is how to find time to do it all – network with old and new acquaintances; attend program sessions; get out into the city to be stimulated by new exhibition work. Responding to these needs, this year we’re offering a new kind of program in Chicago, an innovative pre-conference tour and workshop, titled “Building the NAME Network: Group Discussions in Exhibitions” (Sunday, May 13, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm). Participants in this ticketed event will split into teams to visit exhibits at some of Chicago’s unique small museums. Then, back at the conference center, they’ll gather over lunch for a lively conversation about what they saw. As the title implies, an important goal of this program is to build a strong network of exhibit professionals, creating a learning community through shared experiences. We look forward to seeing you there.
Gretchen Jennings Named Exhibitionist Editor
NAME is very pleased to announce the appointment of Gretchen M. Jennings as Managing Editor for Exhibitionist. Beginning with the Fall 2007 issue, Gretchen will be responsible for the content and production of the journal, and will provide leadership and vision to guide its future growth.
A recognized leader in museum exhibition and education, Gretchen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this appointment. For over 15 years, her prize-winning exhibitions have offered museum visitors memorable opportunities to play, interact, and engage with innovative subject-matter. At the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History (NMAH) Lemelson Center, she was project director for Invention at Play, overseeing the development of two touring exhibitions and their accompanying programs. Previously, she served as project director and educator for Psychology: Understanding Ourselves, Understanding Each Other, for the American Psychological Association and the Ontario Science Center. Most recently, Gretchen has served as NMAH’s Director of Education for Interpretation and Visitor Experience, managing education staff for exhibition development, hands-on spaces, visitor services, evaluation and accessibility.
As well as a respected practitioner of exhibition development and museum education, Gretchen also brings to Exhibitionist her invaluable experience as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Museum Education, a position she held from 1996–1999. Gretchen’s appointment represents a significant milestone in the development of Exhibitionist as the journal continues to grow in stature within the museum profession. We welcome the guidance she brings to this position, and look forward to her tenure.
News from George S. Gardner
We recently heard from NAME's first president George S. Gardner. He retired in 1991 from the American Museum of Natural History where he had served for eighteen years as Chairman of the Department of Exhibitions and Graphics. After leaving AMNH he continued to work for a few years as a Museum Planning Consultant with organizations in Westchester, New York, and Connecticut. His daughter's move to Montana made him realize the advantages of living in Big Sky Country, and he ended up building a house in Whitefish, Montana. He remains busy with exhibit design and planning for a number of projects in the area, is actively involved in several important community projects in Whitefish, and enjoys watching his five-year old twin grandchildren Miles and Thea grow.
George is looking forward to the completion of NAME's new graphic identity. He writes, "This [NAME] rather special group of professionals formed a living organization and I am glad that I was present at its birth twenty-five years ago in Indianapolis. Keep up the good work!"
