What is the purpose of a Happy New Year blog post?

Posted byRebecca ShulmanPosted inUncategorized

Why interrupt regularly scheduled programming to blog a new year’s message? There are three reasons that come to mind:

1. To note a hiatus in posting.

The next new Museum Questions post will be on January 5, 2015. In the meantime, if you need something to read, here are a few older posts that you may have missed:

The Moth: A student perspective on field trips

What do we talk about when we talk about art?

Arts Education Elevator Speech

Norman Rockwell, Vacation's Over
Norman Rockwell, Vacation’s Over

2. To share news and updates.

Museum Questions update: There are two more guests posts in the Schools and Museums series, to be posted the week of January 5th. After that, look for a few analysis posts wrapping up this series. Then posts will likely slow to bi-weekly for a while. But in a few months, look for a new extended exploration – likely on evaluation, gathering feedback, and what makes information useful.

My own update: Beginning on January 5, 2015, I am taking on a new role: Director of the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum. This museum will open to the public in June 2015. I look forward to exploring questions related to opening a new museum, and to children’s museums more generally, on Museum Questions. (How do you create a culture of access and equity in a new museum? How can we measure success in ways other than visitor numbers and income? What is the role of parents in a children’s museum? What do we mean by play?)

playhouse
Drawing of an exhibit planned for the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum.

3. To wish everyone a Happy New Year, and best wishes for a wonderful 2015!

 

mark twain quote - blue

Published by Rebecca Shulman

I am the Principal of Museum Questions Consulting, which delivers a range of services that motivate leaders at all levels to think deeply and carefully about goals and systems, so that they can plan effectively. have over 20 years of experience as a museum professional, working both within museums and as a consultant. Most recently I served as Founding Director of the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum, in Peoria, Illinois. Prior to that I worked as Head of Education at the Noguchi Museum, and Senior Manager of Learning Through Art at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. While at the Guggenheim Museum I wrote a book, Looking at Art in the Classroom. Learn more about Museum Questions, my consulting practice, at www.museumquestions.com.

Please add your thoughts to the discussion!