For the first time ever MuseumNext moved from Europe to the states with wonderful host the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I always knew this was going to be something special but both MuseumNext and IMA outdid even my expectations!  A very special thank you to Scott Stulen, Silvia Filippini Fantoni from IMA and Jim Richardson and Kala Preston for managing to pull off the best conference to date!

As always, MuseumNext is more than ‘just a conference’. The fringe, networking and fun around the one (but really two days…) conference. Am I bias about MuseumNext? Of course! But it’s like a family to me – even though the delegates change there is always a warmth and familiarness with MuseumNext.

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There have been a few fabulous and very detailed post on Museum on the Web which I’m not going to try and compete with.  Instead, after being home for a few weeks (and finally getting over jet lag) these are the items that still are prominent with me.

Facebook killed 25% of the website

While in the Tate web assessment session, we were asked to come up with a profile of an average visitor to a website.  Originally we had a personal website but soon realized the profile required a more established website and as Guggenheim was within our group, they were duly elected. Read the rest of this entry »

While in Philadelphia I was invited to visit Chemistry Heritage Foundation as my sister Darlene Cavalier, who runs Sci Starter,  had a meeting there.  I went but must admit, I wasn’t looking forward to it (I can say that now that I’m 3500 miles away again).

A museum on chemistry?  Really?  It just sounded like watching paint dry.  Even when I walked in I remember saying ‘well this isn’t going to take me long…’

Boy was I ever wrong! 

Chemistry Heritage Foundation (CHF) has turned into one of my favourite museums on so many different levels.  Read the rest of this entry »

Going behind the scenes at any museum or art gallery is amazing, but when the museum is a Natinal and International treasure, it’s even more amazing!

Yesterday, I was invited to do just that at the American History Museum Tweetup that took place as part of #musesocial discussion online (Twitter).

Ten of us were privileged to this experience this week and I can honestly say it was a day I will never forget.

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How do you create a space for teens that supports engagement?

I’ll explore some of the ways I’ve been working towards that goal in Milwaukee through our Satellite High School Program, a series of gallery sessions that focus on art history and interpretation. All of the quotes are from teens who were in the program.

Respect your teens

“I liked being able to share my opinion and hearing others’ opinions to learn more—having other artists [i.e., other teens] that are helping you understand a concept.” Read the rest of this entry »