Open Forum

Hello all,

Our museum has been open to the idea of finding an international museum to partner with in some sort of capacity to share idea and perspectives, as well as mutual aid.  This could take a number of forms, but at the simplest we are open to essentially partnering and sending a staff member to work with them for a set period of time (one, two, three weeks, etc) and aid them in whatever capacity they need (although ideally it would be some sort of collections, exhibits, or outreach).  Essentially this would be a way to "bridge the gap" between different cultures and museums, with the possibility of us teaching them something new or them teaching us something new.  If they, in turn, wanted to send a staff member to visit our location we would be thrilled--but that is not necessary.

For a quick background, we are a very small rural history museum in the midwest.  Our budget would be somewhat limited, but depending on the location we feel we could probably cover travel costs.  If the host museum can help provide anything that's welcome, but not necessarily required.

Just wondering if anyone else has done anything like this in the past, and if you have any tips or advice.  Obviously we would need to reach out to a museum (or them contact us first) to establish mutual interest, and then formal invitations to follow (and possibly assistance with a visa depending on the location of the host museum).  There is no set timetable for this, just something we've been discussing for a few years.

If you were approached by a random international museum, would you considering hosting their staff and introducing them to your facility and community?

Hi

What a great idea! It could be like a Sister City program. Many years ago when I worked at the MIT Museum we had a visitor from the Nobel Museum spend a month or so with us. I'm a huge believer in cross cultural exchange and think smaller museums are important places. It would be great if Museums did more of it. I'm retired now, but would be happy to help. Regards, Josie Patterson

Hello all,

Our museum has been open to the idea of finding an international museum to partner with in some sort of capacity to share idea and perspectives, as well as mutual aid.  This could take a number of forms, but at the simplest we are open to essentially partnering and sending a staff member to work with them for a set period of time (one, two, three weeks, etc) and aid them in whatever capacity they need (although ideally it would be some sort of collections, exhibits, or outreach).  Essentially this would be a way to "bridge the gap" between different cultures and museums, with the possibility of us teaching them something new or them teaching us something new.  If they, in turn, wanted to send a staff member to visit our location we would be thrilled--but that is not necessary.

For a quick background, we are a very small rural history museum in the midwest.  Our budget would be somewhat limited, but depending on the location we feel we could probably cover travel costs.  If the host museum can help provide anything that's welcome, but not necessarily required.

Just wondering if anyone else has done anything like this in the past, and if you have any tips or advice.  Obviously we would need to reach out to a museum (or them contact us first) to establish mutual interest, and then formal invitations to follow (and possibly assistance with a visa depending on the location of the host museum).  There is no set timetable for this, just something we've been discussing for a few years.

If you were approached by a random international museum, would you considering hosting their staff and introducing them to your facility and community?

Hi

What a great idea! It could be like a Sister City program. Many years ago when I worked at the MIT Museum we had a visitor from the Nobel Museum spend a month or so with us. I'm a huge believer in cross cultural exchange and think smaller museums are important places. It would be great if Museums did more of it. I'm retired now, but would be happy to help. Regards, Josie Patterson

Hello all,

Our museum has been open to the idea of finding an international museum to partner with in some sort of capacity to share idea and perspectives, as well as mutual aid.  This could take a number of forms, but at the simplest we are open to essentially partnering and sending a staff member to work with them for a set period of time (one, two, three weeks, etc) and aid them in whatever capacity they need (although ideally it would be some sort of collections, exhibits, or outreach).  Essentially this would be a way to "bridge the gap" between different cultures and museums, with the possibility of us teaching them something new or them teaching us something new.  If they, in turn, wanted to send a staff member to visit our location we would be thrilled--but that is not necessary.

For a quick background, we are a very small rural history museum in the midwest.  Our budget would be somewhat limited, but depending on the location we feel we could probably cover travel costs.  If the host museum can help provide anything that's welcome, but not necessarily required.

Just wondering if anyone else has done anything like this in the past, and if you have any tips or advice.  Obviously we would need to reach out to a museum (or them contact us first) to establish mutual interest, and then formal invitations to follow (and possibly assistance with a visa depending on the location of the host museum).  There is no set timetable for this, just something we've been discussing for a few years.

If you were approached by a random international museum, would you considering hosting their staff and introducing them to your facility and community?