Lisa Cowan is Vice President of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation; in this capacity she helps with strategy, development and oversight of foundation programs and grantmaking. Lisa has been working with community-based organizations for the last 25 years, first as a community health educator and program director at several youth-serving agencies, then as a SeniorContinue reading “How do we address the power dynamics of philanthropy? Interview with Lisa Cowan”
Category Archives: Interviews
TOP FIVE IDEAS for leveraging digital platforms and thinking
This post is the first in a series of interviews with individuals who have ideas for how museum professionals might leverage this moment to think or work in new ways, or how we might do our work more efficiently and effectively. This post is from Nik Honeysett, CEO of BPOC, a San Diego-based, non-profit consultancyContinue reading “TOP FIVE IDEAS for leveraging digital platforms and thinking”
What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Interview with Dean Heffta
Dean Heffta is a consultant who specializes in leadership, strategic vision, and performance training. He is the host of Communication On Point podcast and trains using the Process Communication Model developed in the 1970s, and since used by NASA and Pixar. Recently I heard Dean speak in a webinar offered by the Peoria Chamber ofContinue reading “What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Interview with Dean Heffta”
How can the reference interview inform Maker spaces? Interview with Joel Spencer
Interview with Joel Spencer: Maker Spaces and the Reference Interview Joel Spencer is a native of Champaign, Illinois. Joel graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in history in 2008, and a master’s degree in library and information science in 2010. While in library school Joel focused on community engagement and teenContinue reading “How can the reference interview inform Maker spaces? Interview with Joel Spencer”
What do children learn by making? An interview with Edward Clapp
Edward Clapp is an author of Maker-Centered Learning: Empowering Young People to Shape Their Worlds. This book, and the research behind it, are an initiative of the Agency by Design project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero. One of the challenges in talking about “making” is how big our definition can grow.Continue reading “What do children learn by making? An interview with Edward Clapp”
What does a successful maker space in a children’s museum looks like? Interview with Dr. Michael Hanchett Hanson
“Maker Spaces” are currently in vogue: they are now a fairly standard component of children’s museums, and many art museums have drop-in spaces for children and families to create art during their visit. Schools and libraries are interested in maker spaces as well. As with any other exhibit, a maker space is not inherently successful.Continue reading “What does a successful maker space in a children’s museum looks like? Interview with Dr. Michael Hanchett Hanson”
Why are museums wary of new audiences? Interview with Laura Huerta Migus
Laura Huerta Migus is the Executive Director of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM). Prior to joining ACM, Laura was the Director of Professional Development and Inclusion Initiatives of the Association of Science & Technology Center, where she was responsible for the planning and implementation of all professional development and equity and diversity efforts. InContinue reading “Why are museums wary of new audiences? Interview with Laura Huerta Migus”
Why visit childrens museums? Interview with Elizabeth Kaplan
Elizabeth Kaplan is a lawyer who lives in Louisville, Kentucky and a college friend of mine. When she visited Peoria recently I learned that she has taken her children to children’s museums all over the country. With this in mind, I interviewed Elizabeth for Museum Questions. We so often hear from colleagues; this post isContinue reading “Why visit childrens museums? Interview with Elizabeth Kaplan”
What is an “Interpreter in Residence?” Interview with Michael Christiano
Michael Christiano is the Interim Senior Director of Museum Programs at the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. In this role he develops strategies and programs that reflect on the nature of the Museum’s institutional practice, with a particular focus on education, interpretation, engagement, hospitality, installation strategy, and other key issues. When visiting the SmartContinue reading “What is an “Interpreter in Residence?” Interview with Michael Christiano”
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”
Museum Questions 