Open Forum

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel

Rachel,

I was fortunately able to hit the road this year and apply myself outside the office. I advised the DoD's Nuclear Weapons Instructional Museum, gave a talk on human factors in spaceflight for NASA engineers, encouraged a few classes of Public History students, and spoke at the Italian Air Force Museum on mythology and the historical quest for speed. Going into new environments and meeting new people--explaining my institution and what we do, and why, and how--was as enriching as it was refreshing. I hope others had similar "recharge your batteries" experiences.

Cheers,

Doug

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel

Hi Rachel,

Without question, my best museum related engagement was contracting as Publication Project Manager for The Textile Museum's catalog, Textile Treasures: Highlights from The Textile Museum and the Cotsen Textile Traces Study Collections. We signed off on final proofs Thanksgiving Day and the nearly 400-page book will be available in February 2025, early in the museum's centennial year. As a publications professional engaging with deeply knowledgeable and warmly inclusive museum colleagues, that long-term project has provided immense professional satisfaction.

Personally, two opportunities to explore The Baltimore Museum of Art's retrospective Joyce Scott exhibition ("Walk a Mile in My Dreams"), with different friends, provided two deeply reflective and inspiring artistic experiences. Several of Scott's works can also be found in "Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women" at the Renwick Gallery through January 5. I highly recommend that show as well for the opportunity to explore works by a wide range of female artists.

All my best,

Sherri

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Smithsonian Ethical Interpretation Fellowship, a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of storytelling in museum spaces. Through this program, I explored how to authentically represent underrepresented narratives and tackle complex histories with nuance and integrity.

It's been inspiring to collaborate with museum professionals from across the country and learn best practices for creating inclusive, thought-provoking exhibitions and programs. This fellowship has truly enhanced how I approach my work in museum education and community engagement, ensuring that every story we tell honors its full context and significance

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel

Hi Rachel,

My last year was spent in grad school, but I did some pretty cool museum-y things! As part of my program in London, I was able to visit the King's private library (the bookshelves were designed and built by Prince Albert!!) at Windsor castle to view his collection of Holbein portrait sketches before they went on display in The King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. It was incredible! Spent well over an hour with the Archivist discussing the sketches and preservation. I also was able to visit the Titanic museum in Belfast. That was one of the coolest interactive museum I've ever been to.

Best,

Alexandra

Dear All

What is the best museum related thing you did this year?

I went to museums and started to do this work as an admin and starting discussions. I look forward to your responses and to learning from all of you.

Thanks,

Rachel