Hi all,

It's time again to start thinking about the next MoMS exhibition, beyond Journey Stories which will open in May/June 2009.  The next exhibition would open in 2011, so we have a little time, but we need to start thinking about the topic.

The MoMS staff has decided to throw it out to you in the Council world to help us think about good exhibition topics.  Please think about broad themes or ideas that you think will make a good MoMS exhibition--music or food, for example.  As you know, its a little tricky to find a good topic, because it needs to be a national story with a strong local connection.  It is this local connection that really makes the difference.  Every town in every state in the country needs to be part of the national story. It can't be too narrow or regional.  People at the local level need to feel passionate about it. We have found that topics are most successful that focus on Americana and allow for celebration while also inspiring serious reflection and sharing at the community level.

So, please give us your best ideas about topics.  Please share on the Listserv so that others can consider your ideas. 

After about two weeks we will call an end to the broad theme discussion and try to narrow our discussion to a five or six ideas.  Then, we will task all of you to help us find a curator and even an existing exhibition that we could adapt to make it a MoMS story.  Several of our last few exhibitions are sort of made from scratch, so to speak, and for staffing and financial reasons, we feel that it is very important for this next one to draw from an existing body of research and scholarship.

So, have at it.  Give us your best ideas!!!  We are all ears.

Kind regards,

Carol
Carol Harsh
Co-Director, Museum on Main Street
Smithsonian Institution
P.O. Box 37012, MRC 941
Washington, DC  20013-7012
202-465-5267 (cell)
202-633-5333 (office)