Open Forum

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members at this year's Annual Meeting and look forward to getting to know more of you. 

Before AAM, I supported the work of the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), where I led the nonprofits nation-wide programs, volunteers, instructors, partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and supported the ongoing development of evidence-based research. I have 20 years of project, program, and event management experience, along with a rich communications background. I received my BFA from the Corcoran College of Art + Design prior to it becoming part of GMU. In my personal time I actively volunteer, engage in the performing and visual arts, hike regularly, read voraciously, and challenge myself with adventures or marathons.  

Why did I choose to serve the museum community? My earliest memories have always involved museums and family togetherness. This month alone I have visited nearly a dozen museums (not work related). Later in life, I collaborated with museums to provide free programs for the community which provided new perspectives on the impact of museums on their local geographical areas. I am grateful that our institutions of history and culture provide everyone with the opportunity to be curious, challenge our thinking, have fun, and be engaged with others.

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

Hello all,

I go by 'Art' (appropriate for all types of art museums :-)). I have worked with over 400 museums and other cultural institutions in the U.S. primarily (Also in Canada). Before founding my initial consulting firm for museums, I was an operator having opened, been the onsite full-time operator and operated the J.Paul Getty Museum (Villa) in Malibu and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMAP). My first museum client was the Phoenix Art Museum, Woody Spivey, Deputy Director. Woody was also president of the Western Museum Association and encouraged me to Exhibit at the AAM Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA at that time. Fast forward, I was exhibing at AAM Annual Meeting every year for almost 30-years and exhibiting at all the Museum Regional Conferences, and ASTC and AZA. I believed strongly to 'support the organizations' that support me.

I sold the consulting business I founded above, in January 2016 and in late 2017 left the firm I founded and continued helping Museum clients that contacted me at Art Manask Consulting. I have mentored many consultants (some of which do not have the museum operating experience that I have) when asked. so others know what I know and can continue to provide high level support to museums when needed. When the pandemic hit us all very hard in 2019, I helped many clients figure out what to do with their visitor dining (cafes), catering for rental events and in some cases for the institution's store/retail operation including online presence.

I co-published the first and only two reference works (books) in about 2002 and 2010 which AAM originally sold at the AAM Book Store since these are the only reference works (as far as i know) published and still available at Amazon (by searching Amazon with my last name. Many, many institutions' representatives, over the years of working with some of them and seeing many of the people at AAM Annual Meetings and when I was asked to come to and be a speaker for the Association of Art Museum Administrators in NJ, FL and CA at their annual meeting(s).

I continue to work with some museums and help other consultants that work with museums and cultural institutions, oftentimes at no cost if a few questions on a call or in an email or a Zoom call (of which there have been many as you know I am sure the past 2-3 years.

I am so pleased I chose to work with the museum community 30+ years ago. So many people have become good friends over the years for which I am very grateful and fortunate.

Grace, thank you for starting this process. The museum community is the greatest and thank you to all that I/we have worked with over the years and look forward to continuing to hear and work with some of you.

Very best wishes to all.

Thank you.

Art

------------------------------
Art Manask
Founder/Principal
Art Manask Consulting
artmanask@gmail.com
818 358-3588
www.artmanaskconsulting.com

Original Message:
Sent: 07-21-2023 03:13 PM
From: Grace Belizario
Subject: Introduce Yourself!

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members at this year's Annual Meeting and look forward to getting to know more of you. 

Before AAM, I supported the work of the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), where I led the nonprofits nation-wide programs, volunteers, instructors, partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and supported the ongoing development of evidence-based research. I have 20 years of project, program, and event management experience, along with a rich communications background. I received my BFA from the Corcoran College of Art + Design prior to it becoming part of GMU. In my personal time I actively volunteer, engage in the performing and visual arts, hike regularly, read voraciously, and challenge myself with adventures or marathons.  

Why did I choose to serve the museum community? My earliest memories have always involved museums and family togetherness. This month alone I have visited nearly a dozen museums (not work related). Later in life, I collaborated with museums to provide free programs for the community which provided new perspectives on the impact of museums on their local geographical areas. I am grateful that our institutions of history and culture provide everyone with the opportunity to be curious, challenge our thinking, have fun, and be engaged with others.

------------------------------
Grace Belizario
Senior Manager, Volunteer & Member Engagement
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA

Original Message:
Sent: 07-21-2023 03:12 PM
From: Grace Belizario
Subject: Introduce Yourself!

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

------------------------------
Grace Belizario
Senior Manager, Volunteer & Member Engagement
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA
------------------------------

Hello Art,

I worked at the American Jazz Museum and I believe we had a meeting about our putting a restaurant in the museum.  You also mentioned that you were at the Getty, my uncle Richard Kinney was Director of Publications at the Getty in their new building...

Small world, 

Will circle back and provide a complete update.

Lina

------------------------------
Lina Stephens
Collections Manager
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
lstephens@thewright.org
313-494-5819

Original Message:
Sent: 07-24-2023 12:16 PM
From: Art Manask
Subject: Introduce Yourself!

Hello all,

I go by 'Art' (appropriate for all types of art museums :-)). I have worked with over 400 museums and other cultural institutions in the U.S. primarily (Also in Canada). Before founding my initial consulting firm for museums, I was an operator having opened, been the onsite full-time operator and operated the J.Paul Getty Museum (Villa) in Malibu and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMAP). My first museum client was the Phoenix Art Museum, Woody Spivey, Deputy Director. Woody was also president of the Western Museum Association and encouraged me to Exhibit at the AAM Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA at that time. Fast forward, I was exhibing at AAM Annual Meeting every year for almost 30-years and exhibiting at all the Museum Regional Conferences, and ASTC and AZA. I believed strongly to 'support the organizations' that support me.

I sold the consulting business I founded above, in January 2016 and in late 2017 left the firm I founded and continued helping Museum clients that contacted me at Art Manask Consulting. I have mentored many consultants (some of which do not have the museum operating experience that I have) when asked. so others know what I know and can continue to provide high level support to museums when needed. When the pandemic hit us all very hard in 2019, I helped many clients figure out what to do with their visitor dining (cafes), catering for rental events and in some cases for the institution's store/retail operation including online presence.

I co-published the first and only two reference works (books) in about 2002 and 2010 which AAM originally sold at the AAM Book Store since these are the only reference works (as far as i know) published and still available at Amazon (by searching Amazon with my last name. Many, many institutions' representatives, over the years of working with some of them and seeing many of the people at AAM Annual Meetings and when I was asked to come to and be a speaker for the Association of Art Museum Administrators in NJ, FL and CA at their annual meeting(s).

I continue to work with some museums and help other consultants that work with museums and cultural institutions, oftentimes at no cost if a few questions on a call or in an email or a Zoom call (of which there have been many as you know I am sure the past 2-3 years.

I am so pleased I chose to work with the museum community 30+ years ago. So many people have become good friends over the years for which I am very grateful and fortunate.

Grace, thank you for starting this process. The museum community is the greatest and thank you to all that I/we have worked with over the years and look forward to continuing to hear and work with some of you.

Very best wishes to all.

Thank you.

Art

------------------------------
Art Manask
Founder/Principal
Art Manask Consulting
artmanask@gmail.com
818 358-3588
www.artmanaskconsulting.com

Original Message:
Sent: 07-21-2023 03:13 PM
From: Grace Belizario
Subject: Introduce Yourself!

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members at this year's Annual Meeting and look forward to getting to know more of you. 

Before AAM, I supported the work of the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), where I led the nonprofits nation-wide programs, volunteers, instructors, partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and supported the ongoing development of evidence-based research. I have 20 years of project, program, and event management experience, along with a rich communications background. I received my BFA from the Corcoran College of Art + Design prior to it becoming part of GMU. In my personal time I actively volunteer, engage in the performing and visual arts, hike regularly, read voraciously, and challenge myself with adventures or marathons.  

Why did I choose to serve the museum community? My earliest memories have always involved museums and family togetherness. This month alone I have visited nearly a dozen museums (not work related). Later in life, I collaborated with museums to provide free programs for the community which provided new perspectives on the impact of museums on their local geographical areas. I am grateful that our institutions of history and culture provide everyone with the opportunity to be curious, challenge our thinking, have fun, and be engaged with others.

------------------------------
Grace Belizario
Senior Manager, Volunteer & Member Engagement
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA

Original Message:
Sent: 07-21-2023 03:12 PM
From: Grace Belizario
Subject: Introduce Yourself!

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

------------------------------
Grace Belizario
Senior Manager, Volunteer & Member Engagement
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA
------------------------------

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

Hi Grace and others in the field. 

I go by JM and am relatively new at The Neon Museum (Las Vegas). I'm a coordinator on the advancement team, where I tell member and donor stories, and also help with our CRM. Previously, I taught English abroad and worked in marketing in NYC for 8 years.

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

Good morning! I am the Assistant Director of Heritage Resources at Kings Landing in New Brunswick Canada.  My department is responsible for collections, archives, corporate history, records management, costume, exhibits, resources for staff and curatorial knowledge. This is a large open-air museum with over 90 000 pieces in the collection.  I have spent 35 years in the museum field including 31 at Kings Landing.  My first position was in a community museum in Nova Scotia.  I have since volunteered at many small and community museums in New Brunswick.  These include the Loyalist House, the School Days Museum, The New Brunswick Military History Museum, The Fredericton Region Museum, and the Keswick Ridge Historical Society.  My passion is for all things museum but particularly volunteering at small and community museums.  In her spare time, I enjoy reading, watching sports, attending church and coaching youth soccer and softball.

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

Good morning. I am an attorney in private practice. I represent a state-wide system of historical museums and sites. I have practiced law for 40 years. My practice has been broad and varied. Over the last 10 years, I have focused on representation of not-for-profits and small businesses. 

Wesley Newhouse

Newhouse, Prophater, Kolman & Hogan, LLC

Columbus, Ohio

Good morning! I am the Assistant Director of Heritage Resources at Kings Landing in New Brunswick Canada.  My department is responsible for collections, archives, corporate history, records management, costume, exhibits, resources for staff and curatorial knowledge. This is a large open-air museum with over 90 000 pieces in the collection.  I have spent 35 years in the museum field including 31 at Kings Landing.  My first position was in a community museum in Nova Scotia.  I have since volunteered at many small and community museums in New Brunswick.  These include the Loyalist House, the School Days Museum, The New Brunswick Military History Museum, The Fredericton Region Museum, and the Keswick Ridge Historical Society.  My passion is for all things museum but particularly volunteering at small and community museums.  In her spare time, I enjoy reading, watching sports, attending church and coaching youth soccer and softball.

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

------------------------------
Grace Belizario
Senior Manager, Volunteer & Member Engagement
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA
------------------------------

Hi everyone -- I'm Doug Lantry, a curator in the Research Division at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (NMUSAF), Dayton, Ohio, the world's oldest and largest military aviation museum. I've enjoyed reading all these introductions, thank you Grace!

I've been at the NMUSAF for 23 years, and at the Ohio Historical Society for a few years before that. I'm a civil servant and also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a historian for 20 years, with deployed service in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. My background is in the History of Technology and Museum Studies, and I specialize in human factors in space flight, strategic nuclear deterrence, and the First World War (and anything else that pops up in the course of work, which is everything about military air and space power from their birth to today and the future!). I also serve as our museum's institutional historian. I enjoy giving presentations, most recently about our museum's centenary at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, Cosford, UK, and about 1973's post-Vietnam "Operation Homecoming" here at the NMUSAF. My favorite museums are ones that connect technology, culture, and history. Per Grace's prompt, the best advice I've received in museum work is that the answer to every museum program question involves a careful passage through the Five Great Wickets -- time, money, people, facilities, and politics. 

Outside of work, I'm compelled by some unseen force to play as much ice hockey as age will allow, my wife and I are devoted to our dogs, we live in an 1870 house, and I wish I could play my four guitars better than I do.

------------------------------
Doug Lantry, PhD
Curator & Historian, Research Division
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
douglas.lantry.1@us.af.mil
nationalmuseum.af.mil

Original Message:
Sent: 07-21-2023 03:12 PM
From: Grace Belizario
Subject: Introduce Yourself!

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

------------------------------
Grace Belizario
Senior Manager, Volunteer & Member Engagement
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA
------------------------------

Hi everyone -- I'm Doug Lantry, a curator in the Research Division at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (NMUSAF), Dayton, Ohio, the world's oldest and largest military aviation museum. I've enjoyed reading all these introductions, thank you Grace!

I've been at the NMUSAF for 23 years, and at the Ohio Historical Society for a few years before that. I'm a civil servant and also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a historian for 20 years, with deployed service in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. My background is in the History of Technology and Museum Studies, and I specialize in human factors in space flight, strategic nuclear deterrence, and the First World War (and anything else that pops up in the course of work, which is everything about military air and space power from their birth to today and the future!). I also serve as our museum's institutional historian. I enjoy giving presentations, most recently about our museum's centenary at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, Cosford, UK, and about 1973's post-Vietnam "Operation Homecoming" here at the NMUSAF. My favorite museums are ones that connect technology, culture, and history. Per Grace's prompt, the best advice I've received in museum work is that the answer to every museum program question involves a careful passage through the Five Great Wickets -- time, money, people, facilities, and politics. 

Outside of work, I'm compelled by some unseen force to play as much ice hockey as age will allow, my wife and I are devoted to our dogs, we live in an 1870 house, and I wish I could play my four guitars better than I do.

------------------------------
Doug Lantry, PhD
Curator & Historian, Research Division
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
douglas.lantry.1@us.af.mil
nationalmuseum.af.mil
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-21-2023 03:12 PM
From: Grace Belizario
Subject: Introduce Yourself!

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

------------------------------
Grace Belizario
Senior Manager, Volunteer & Member Engagement
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA
------------------------------

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

------------------------------
Grace Belizario
Senior Manager, Volunteer & Member Engagement
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA
------------------------------

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

Hello from New London, CT! Thank you for starting this thread, Grace. It has been enjoyable reading these posts and hearing about everyone's experiences. My name is Libby Daly and I am the Manager of Membership for the National Coast Guard Museum Association. We are working to build a national museum that will engage, educate, and inspire visitors while honoring the courage and skills of the dedicated service members of the Coast Guard. Building a brand new museum is exciting and challenging and there is so much history to tell. I started my career in museums 11 years ago as a visitor services manager coordinating our front-line volunteers at Mystic Seaport Museum. I love the water and any day I can work alongside it in any capacity is a win for me. Looking forward to learning more from this group and sharing my experiences as well.

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

Hello from New London, CT! Thank you for starting this thread, Grace. It has been enjoyable reading these posts and hearing about everyone's experiences. My name is Libby Daly and I am the Manager of Membership for the National Coast Guard Museum Association. We are working to build a national museum that will engage, educate, and inspire visitors while honoring the courage and skills of the dedicated service members of the Coast Guard. Building a brand new museum is exciting and challenging and there is so much history to tell. I started my career in museums 11 years ago as a visitor services manager coordinating our front-line volunteers at Mystic Seaport Museum. I love the water and any day I can work alongside it in any capacity is a win for me. Looking forward to learning more from this group and sharing my experiences as well.

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo. 

I am activating an Introduce Yourself thread!

Please take a few minutes to share with us your role in the museum field, and some fun details about yourself by replying to this thread. Your reply can be as long or short as you want. My desire is that we get to know each other in the process. I look forward to "meeting" you online. 

Don't know what to say? Feel free to pick from one of the areas below?

Here are a few starters:

• What is one of the top museums you've been to? What made it stand out?
• What is your earliest memory of your role in the museum profession?
• What was the best advice you've received in your career?
• If you had unlimited funds, what would you do to advance the work of museums?
• What is a trend you've seen that can provide an opportunity or challenge for the museum field?

I will go first. I will post a short one here and a longer one in the comments. 

My name is Grace Belizario and I am on staff with AAM. My official title is Senior Manager of Volunteer & Member Engagement. I am new in my role, having started in May. I am fortunate to have met some of our wonderful community members already and look forward to connecting with more of you.

See that wasn't too scary! 

PS: Don't forget to update your profile and photo.