Last week, I flew to New York City and went on a museum-visiting spree. I visited seven museums over four days, immersing myself in art, taking notes and thinking about new ideas, meeting with colleagues, and re-establishing connections that are more tenuous now that I live 1000 miles away. Upon my return I found myself thinking, WhatContinue reading “Exhibition Review: What Works, and Why?”
Author Archives: Rebecca Shulman
What did I learn in my first year?
The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum turned one year old last week. Amidst the birthday celebrations and thank you emails, I have been reflecting on the question: What did I learn from my first year as a museum director? What did we learn from the first year of operation of a new museum? I came upContinue reading “What did I learn in my first year?”
How does information help museums build capacity? Interview with Eileen Setti
A few weeks ago, I heard Eileen Setti speak on the topic of capacity building. I was struck by her emphasis on information, and began to wonder about what information we are bringing into museums, and who has access to that information. I asked to interview her in order to pursue this line ofContinue reading “How does information help museums build capacity? Interview with Eileen Setti”
What is the role of museums in educational change?
Last week I attended “InterActivity,” the annual conference of the Association of Children’s Museum (ACM). This was my first ACM conference, and I learned a great deal from presenters and colleagues. I was impressed by the organization of the conference, ACM staff’s attention to the needs of each conference attendee, and the challenging questionsContinue reading “What is the role of museums in educational change?”
How can museums share progressive ideas with culturally conservative visitors?
This past week I attended a lecture by Professor John Jost of NYU on the psychology of political orientation. His presentation led me to wonder about museums and the psychology of cultural liberalism vs. cultural conservativism. How do we share new and progressive ideas with culturally conservative visitors? How do we even get them inContinue reading “How can museums share progressive ideas with culturally conservative visitors?”
What is the relationship between “community need” and museums?
In December, I asked readers “What are your museum questions?” One colleague, Andrea Jones, emailed me to say that she has been thinking about questions around “community need.” That email grew into an exchange between the two of us, that turned into this post. This is very much the beginning of a conversation. Andrea and IContinue reading “What is the relationship between “community need” and museums?”
What data do we use to define success?
On Tuesday we are hosting a cocktail party for major donors – people who, over the 15 years of building the PlayHouse, have donated $5000 or more. The goal of this event is to thank them for what they helped us to create. I am struggling with my brief presentation to them. What information orContinue reading “What data do we use to define success?”
When are education materials good marketing materials?
Two museums are planning a joint marketing campaign around the theme of “exploration.” Both museums promote exploration as part of their mission; one has an upcoming exhibit on the theme of space exploration. The campaign will include a brochure, joint ticketing, and a social media campaign. Early on in this collaboration, the museums need toContinue reading “When are education materials good marketing materials?”
What does good staff training look like?
At the PlayHouse, we brought on two new managers this week. These managers are responsible for supervising front line, daily operations – things like opening and closing registers, making sure the museum is ready for visitors when we open, and toys and exhibits are cleaned and sanitized at the end of the day, and throughoutContinue reading “What does good staff training look like?”
Adults are Learners, Too
This guest post is by Jackie Delamatre, who also wrote the post “But will YOU be here?” for Museum Questions in January 2015. Jackie Delamatre is a museum educator. She teaches all ages (from babies to senior citizens) and runs a blog with the goal of connecting kids, parents, and educators to museums: Ms. Museum. For many yearsContinue reading “Adults are Learners, Too”
Museum Questions 