Hi Carol and everyone!

 

I agree that this idea would be a good mechanism to provide additional support and content resources to small institutions. I also would echo the comments that voiced concern regarding the digital/technical skills required to implement these kits effectively. I think that that could be a major hurdle for the organizations that could benefit most from this type of exhibit. That does not change my option that this would be a beneficial project, but I do see it as a challenge that would need careful planning to overcome. We have a long standing relationship with our state’s museum council and I could envision a potential partnership around this type of program.

 

  1. Do you want to be involved in promoting these kits within your state?
    1. YES!
  2. Do you see this as an opportunity for accompanying humanities public programs and to reach more communities?
    1. Absolutely!
  3. Do you worry that these exhibits would compete against MoMS traveling exhibitions?
    1. No, but see answer to question 5
  4. We anticipate the exhibition fee to license this content for the host museums would be about $500 per venue, plus construction costs. Does this seem reasonable for the size and budgets of typical MoMS venues?
    1. Seems very reasonable and the council would consider providing funding to museums for this expense.
  5. Should we be thinking about a way for MoMS to develop exhibitions like this for councils to travel statewide? Or, do you like this model that results in non-traveling venue specific exhibitions that require less council support and staff time?
    1. I think a second version of a traveling MoMS exhibition would compete with our traditional MoMS programming. I would be more in favor of supporting long-term or non-traveling exhibitions and focusing resources on developing capacity at smaller museums to get this type of exhibit up and running with rich humanities programming to support it

 

Best,

 

 

Caitlin Patton

Programs, Operations and Compliance Administrator

North Carolina Humanities Council

320 East 9th Street, Suite 414

Charlotte, NC 28202

704-687-1521 (direct) 704-687-1520 (main)

704-687-1550 (fax)

www.nchumanities.org

 

The president’s budget proposes the elimination of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Act now to protect funding for your North Carolina Humanities Council.

 

Although the NEH is a mere 0.02% of federal spending, the agency is charged with preserving our nation’s heritage and expanding access to America’s diverse cultural and historic treasures. The loss of NEH funding would jeopardize the Council’s more than 40 years of work preserving and sharing the stories that bring NC's rich culture and heritage to life.  Act today to preserve NEH funding for NC

 

 

From: Museum on Main Street [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Arden Williams
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2017 4:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MoMS Exhibition Starter Kits - need your guidance

 

Hello you wonderful people!

 

Sorry I am entering into the discussion a bit late. We had an opening this weekend

for Hometown Teams. At long last - at site #11 (Cartersville) we had no mishaps!

 

Anyhow, I love any and all new concepts for MOMs. Who was it that said whatever you

do you must keep moving forward? (It was Martin Luther King). This idea sounds like a

forward move to me.

 

I am going to start with the second part so I can answer your questions first:

 

  1. Do you want to be involved in promoting these kits within your state?  Yes
  2. Do you see this as an opportunity for accompanying humanities public programs and to reach more communities?  Definitely a chance to reach more but I am not clear on the first part of the

question. Does that mean that they could gain additional ideas for other programs

through the Starter Kit? Or are you talking in general terms about humanities programs?

  1. Do you worry that these exhibits would compete against MoMS traveling exhibitions?  Possibly-

Since here in Georgia we stepped outside the box and invited communities to apply for MoMs (with a wide range of organizations involved), they are now very competitive. I fear that if these starter kits came along some potential MOMS hosts may think these are more important than a traveling exhibit. As human nature goes, the newer thing is always the most popular.

4.     We anticipate the exhibition fee to license this content for the host museums would be about $500 per venue, plus construction costs. Does this seem reasonable for the size and budgets of typical MoMS venues?  Yes, it seems reasonable but will they get information on who is available to help? Perhaps a workbook of not only instructions but available resources? Will there be a type of state meeting? For the first time on this tour, our scholar (Ann McCleary) and I put together a notebook for our installation meetings (12 locations, two meetings). We called it the Hometown Teams Playbook. In it we put everything from your final report forms to a sample timeline, ideas for local programming and an opening ceremony agenda. We also added requirements. I was thinking that down the road this would be something you may consider for the starter kit on a smaller scale. By the way, if anyone wants a copy of the

Playbook, I would be happy to share it (I can send you one).

 

  1. Should we be thinking about a way for MoMS to develop exhibitions like this for councils to travel statewide? Or, do you like this model that results in non-traveling venue specific exhibitions that require less council support and staff time?  I like to see these two options offered simultaneously, I like them both. In other words, some places will host traveling exhibitions, others will receive a starter kit. I just can’t figure out if it would be overload for the Council. Will they have a type of state meeting for the starter kit people? I am certain it would be a meeting on a different scale than the MOMS statewide meeting, but may be needed.

 

Some additional thoughts:

 

How would these be marketed? Would applicants feel overwhelmed by reading they would have things like digital files, audio visual content or graphic packages?  In a MOMS traveling exhibit we know the exhibition is the main part of it but we strongly encourage local exhibitions too. Would they be guided by a content specialist who can explain local research? If not, who would oversee their local work?

 

Perhaps I am getting ahead of you, but I keep thinking about some of the host sites we had for Hometown Teams. Remember, we had communities apply with one organization taking the lead. That included school systems, cultural arts centers and some Main Street and Downtown Development teams, (those that really were mostly clueless about humanities programs). I just wonder who will provide guidance. These thoughts go along with what Mary said, that many organizations are volunteer-led and frightened of the

new technology.

 

This new concept could be called Do it Yourself (DIY) MoMs. At least that is how I think

that some of the communities may see it. But I do like it and feel it has much potential.

I would love to work on giving it a greater focus when the time comes. I believe that

when anyone sees your Smithsonian name, they will be willing to do most anything.

 

My best to everyone!

Arden

 

Ms. Arden Williams

Senior Program Officer

Georgia Humanities

50 Hurt Plaza   Ste. 595

Atlanta, GA 30303

404-523-6220

 

The  Smithsonian is in Georgia!

Hometown Teams: How Sports

Shape America

The exhibition began in Cartersville on June 29th .

It is at the Bartow History Museum until 9/9.

The final stop on the tour is Monroe on 9/16.

 

From: Museum on Main Street [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Josephine Jones
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2017 4:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MoMS Exhibition Starter Kits - need your guidance

 

And Mary's made some good points, too. Josephine


https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B9h6VyM2t2n3U3M1S0ZRM2ZCaHM&revid=0B9h6VyM2t2n3d3RiNnlXZWhkc1FXWWl0Z3NOaXRiTENzZWxFPQ

Josephine Jones | Director of Programs & Center for the Book | Colorado Humanities
[log in to unmask]  |  coloradohumanities.org 
7935 East Prentice Avenue, Suite 450, Greenwood Village, CO  80111
p 303 894 7951 x15   |  f 303 864 9361

https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B9h6VyM2t2n3YThSdXUwbHMzRlU&revid=0B9h6VyM2t2n3ME5rSWUvQS9TVzBja29TRmhqVWRrWms4WHlFPQhttps://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B9h6VyM2t2n3S3pPbVhKTHNtR00&revid=0B9h6VyM2t2n3U00xTG1pRldzc1hSZ2ZNb09aVDZReTdTUngwPQ

View the Colorado Book Awards facebook stream at https://www.facebook.com/cohumanities/videos/1325306114173824/

.

 

 

On Fri, Jul 28, 2017 at 2:48 PM, Josephine Jones <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Just a quick Amen! to Jama's response from Colorado Humanities staff. We are polling hosts to find out what they think, too.

 

Thank you!

 

Josephine


https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B9h6VyM2t2n3U3M1S0ZRM2ZCaHM&revid=0B9h6VyM2t2n3d3RiNnlXZWhkc1FXWWl0Z3NOaXRiTENzZWxFPQ

Josephine Jones | Director of Programs & Center for the Book | Colorado Humanities
[log in to unmask]  |  coloradohumanities.org 
7935 East Prentice Avenue, Suite 450, Greenwood Village, CO  80111
p 303 894 7951 x15   |  f 303 864 9361

https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B9h6VyM2t2n3YThSdXUwbHMzRlU&revid=0B9h6VyM2t2n3ME5rSWUvQS9TVzBja29TRmhqVWRrWms4WHlFPQhttps://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B9h6VyM2t2n3S3pPbVhKTHNtR00&revid=0B9h6VyM2t2n3U00xTG1pRldzc1hSZ2ZNb09aVDZReTdTUngwPQ

View the Colorado Book Awards facebook stream at https://www.facebook.com/cohumanities/videos/1325306114173824/

.

 

 

On Wed, Jul 26, 2017 at 1:46 PM, Jama Best <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi Carol,

 

Great idea!  The MoMS Exhibition Starter Kits would offer a greater number of small museums a wide variety of exhibitions that are affordable and less spatially challenging for some.

 

At the Arkansas Humanities Council we offer traveling exhibitions on loan.  These are very popular and museums are always looking for new topics to showcase within their museums.  With a MoMS Exhibition Starter Kit I believe these would be even more appealing given they would be partnering with the MoMS which brings prestige, excellent content, and resources.  The accompanying community specific exhibition, events, and programming is the icing on the cake.  We've certainly seen this over the course of the last few weeks while hosting Hometown Teams in Arkansas.  

 

If the cost is kept at a minimum, this should allow more museums with small budgets to acquire funds through fundraising efforts, grants, and/or donations without time constraints.  

 

State councils can be involved through promotion, financial support through grants or partnerships, and organizing professional development opportunities.  If not, I still believe small museums would be very excited about the possibilities of a MoMS Starter Kit without a doubt.

 

  1. Do you want to be involved in promoting these kits within your state?  Yes.
  2. Do you see this as an opportunity for accompanying humanities public programs and to reach more communities?  Absolutely!
  3. Do you worry that these exhibits would compete against MoMS traveling exhibitions?  No.  
  4. We anticipate the exhibition fee to license this content for the host museums would be about $500 per venue, plus construction costs. Does this seem reasonable for the size and budgets of typical MoMS venues?  Yes.
  5. Should we be thinking about a way for MoMS to develop exhibitions like this for councils to travel statewide? Yes.  Or, do you like this model that results in non-traveling venue specific exhibitions that require less council support and staff time?  Offering the option for councils to have one or more kits available for loan would be an option.  This would be good in case there are small museums who lack the funding and/or staff to adequately fund raise.  I think it's also good to offer small museums the ability to acquire kits that they can purchase and use initially and in the future.

 

Again, this is an excellent idea...full steam ahead!  If there is anything I may do to assist please don't hesitate to contact me.

 

Jama

 

 

Jama Best | Senior Program Officer

Arkansas Humanities Council

407 President Clinton Avenue, Suite 201, Little Rock, AR  72201

Arkansas Humanities Council

 

 

 

 

From: "Harsh, Carol" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 11:43 AM
Subject: MoMS Exhibition Starter Kits - need your guidance

 

Hi all,

 

In an effort to find cost-effective ways to provide services to our small museum partners, the MoMS team has been thinking for quite some time about what we can do with content from past MoMS exhibitions. We would love to get your reaction to the idea of MoMS Exhibition Starter Kits. We need your input about what role state humanities councils could play in this endeavor.

 

Drawing on content from past MoMS exhibitions, these skeletal, build-it-yourself exhibitions would be designed for small museums.  MoMS would provide the curatorial framework for the exhibition and host museums would be invited to add additional content--such as historical images, art and artifacts, video clips, and quotes from oral histories—that feature their local history and culture. The end result would be a unique exhibition developed in partnership with the Smithsonian that features collections and stories in an exhibition framework that gives national context to a local story.

 

The MoMS Exhibition Starter Kits would be a digital suite of items and instructions for developing exhibition and include such things as:

·        Digital files for curated text panels with a national scope

·        Sample photographs to supplement local collections

·        Digital audio-visual content relevant to the exhibition theme (hardware would be provided by the host museum)

·        Graphic package of design elements (such as logos, paint colors, build-it-yourself instructions)

·        Sample quotes for printing on vinyl for wall applications

·        Exhibition teacher guides

·        Suggestions for local research, story collection and suggested list of artifacts to include

·        Bibliography for books for adults, young readers, and children

·        Filmograhy, educational resources, and program ideas to complement the exhibition

 

By using MoMS Exhibition Starter Kits, host museums would have the opportunity to keep the exhibitions up for an extended period of time and plan to host other build-it yourself exhibitions in a rotating basis, in addition, of course, to hosting MoMS traveling exhibitions.

 

First, we would love to hear your reaction to this idea and how you believe host museums could or would use such a resource.

 

Secondly, we want to explore with you how state humanities councils could be involved. If it is decided that we move forward with these MoMS Starter Kits,

  1. Do you want to be involved in promoting these kits within your state?
  2. Do you see this as an opportunity for accompanying humanities public programs and to reach more communities?
  3. Do you worry that these exhibits would compete against MoMS traveling exhibitions?
  4. We anticipate the exhibition fee to license this content for the host museums would be about $500 per venue, plus construction costs. Does this seem reasonable for the size and budgets of typical MoMS venues?
  5. Should we be thinking about a way for MoMS to develop exhibitions like this for councils to travel statewide? Or, do you like this model that results in non-traveling venue specific exhibitions that require less council support and staff time?

 

We look forward to hearing your good ideas and counsel as we think this out. Responding on the listserv will allow a good exchange of ideas.  However, if you prefer to reach out to us directly you can certainly respond to me at [log in to unmask] (please cc Selwyn Ramp at [log in to unmask]).

 

With warm regards,

 

 

Carol G. Harsh

Director, Museum on Main Street and Special Projects

Smithsonian Institution, SITES

P.O. Box 37012 MRC 941

Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

 

Deliveries

470 L’Enfant Plaza, SW

Suite 7103

Washington, D.C. 20024