Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative’s Post

Here is a very useful resource for Welsh Museums suffering in the wake of the winter storms. There is help from WEPN see below - Wales Emergency Planning Network (WEPN) exists to support Museums, Archives and Libraries to raise the profile of effective emergency planning by providing access to professional training and co-ordinating assistance (staff or resources) in emergencies from other members. WEPN is free to join and open to volunteers and professionals working in or with a museum, archive or library in Wales (accredited, non-accredited or working towards). WEPN meets three times a year online and in-person. #museums #archives #stormdarragh

Here is a very useful resource for Welsh Museums suffering in the wake of the winter storms. There is help from WEPN see below - Wales Emergency Planning Network (WEPN) exists to support Museums, Archives and Libraries to raise the profile of effective emergency planning by providing access to professional training and co-ordinating assistance (staff or resources) in emergencies from other members. WEPN is free to join and open to volunteers and professionals working in or with a museum, archive or library in Wales (accredited, non-accredited or working towards). WEPN meets three times a year online and in-person. #museums #archives #stormdarragh

Story of the broken jar There are few exceptional features of this story which tells about a 4 year old child who broke a priceless ancient jar. 1) The way parents handled it: They actually reported that to security! Secondly, it doesn't look as if they added to the trauma of the child by punishing him. 2) The way museum handled it. There was no " banned for entering again". The family along with the child were welcomed back. They learnt about restoration. 3) No hue and cry in their media blaming the museum authorities. No statements by politicians about damage to " national treasure ". 4) Museum will still continue the policy of open display. Mature communities lead to mature institutions which inturn lead to developed nations. Scientific curiosity needs nurturing environment, not necessarily a new educational policy. https://lnkd.in/gbVyUbnR

The American Museum of Natural History's Museum Education Experience Program (MEEP) launched its Spring cohort. College youth learn how to be floor facilitators and have science conversations with visitors. To begin their preparation, we start with discussing foundational ideas of learning, considering visitor behaviors and getting aquainted with current understandings of visitor flow from evaluation. To learn more about what else we cover, check out the article that goes into detail. https://lnkd.in/girFZ8xa

How can designers bring audiences closer to science stories? How can you bring ice into a museum without it melting?   This project started as an obsession with glaciers as archives of data, and a desire to illustrate these otherwise unseen depths. All too often, we value the world around us for its untapped resources or potential economic advantages. And it is too easy to forget both the interdependence between ourselves and our planet, and the importance of advocating for nature’s agency and protection.   Overture(Polar) was exhibited at the MSU Museum in the New Horizons Gallery in Fall of 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan.

important reminder of the important work museums can do

Last week, I attended the Museum Association conference in Leeds. One of the sessions I attended was about the work of the Anti-Racist Wales project where museum practitioners talked about their experiences of working on the project. Here are a few useful take-aways from an interesting presentation that I’ve been thinking about: A collections review can give you a new perspective on what you already hold. Start with familiar or everyday objects. What can you unpick about them to widen their stories? Don’t let the fear of offending people cause paralysis, but do your homework and keep an open mind. Think about your cultural competency. Give lived expertise and experience the credit it deserves but be careful about making assumptions about expertise or interest from community groups - communities are not homogeneous! Widening narratives is core work, it needs time and resource. The project-based nature of how funding is allocated is a challenge, but the real legacy of project funding is a change in practises and approaches. When we look at collections from multiple angles, everyone benefits and we all learn more.

MUSEUM TOOLKIT KLAXON: I'm pleased to report that 'Materialising the Cold War' researchers Jessica Douthwaite and Sarah Harper have produced _The Cold War in Museums: A Toolkit for Professionals and Volunteers_. https://lnkd.in/eMSeRkQu [scroll down] Reflecting on insights from museum professionals and our research from the ‘Materialising the Cold War’ project, the toolkit is intended to be an informative guide for museum and heritage professionals, as well as volunteers. They offer advice on collecting, interpreting and displaying Cold War history. The toolkit includes step by step guidance for identifying Cold War objects and assessing their Cold War connections, offers strategies for addressing collections gaps, and makes recommendations on how to convey this multi-dimensional story in a way that resonates with diverse audiences. Five case studies by Meredith Greiling , Kathryn Bedford , Kevin Booth , Ewan Burnet , and Doug Millard demonstrate best practice and lessons learnt through their experiences engaging with Cold War heritage. We hope this toolkit inspires and promotes further discussions around the Cold War in the museums. Feedback welcome! #ColdWar '#ColdWarHeritage #MaterialisingtheColdWar #heritage #museums Holger Nehring ; Matthew Sheldon ; Peter Johnston ; Dr Peter Robinson ; Dr. Milka Ivanova ; Harry Raffal ; Louisa Blight ; Oliver Carpenter ; Alexandra Geary ; Steven Leech ; Robert Rumble

As school curricula shift, what role can museums play in filling the gaps? Discover what parents seek in supplemental educational experiences for their children in this Data Story from Wilkening Consulting: https://lnkd.in/eafimugZ

Concord Academy educators are sparking a revolution in learning! In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Concord Museum has partnered with CA history teachers Kim Frederick and Topi Dasgupta P'22 '25 to create traveling classroom trunks filled with replicas of historical artifacts. These hands-on learning experiences go beyond the textbook, allowing students to engage with the past in exciting new ways. Learn more from The Concord Bridge: bit.ly/40Zsznf #Concord250 #CollaborativeLearning #HandsOnHistory