1. We’ve all been grappling with topics of violence and hate following last weekend’s events in Charlottesville. Many museums have condemned the Neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups staging the rally including this powerful statement from the U.S. Holocaust Museum.

Holocaust Museum Asserts That Neo-Nazism Has No Place In America

The United States Holocaust Museum has added its voice to the growing condemnations of Saturday’s deadly protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, asserting that “Neo-Nazism in any form is antithetical to American values and has no place in American society.”

2. Cecelia Walls of the Alliance’s Information Center has compiled a reading list to help ensure everyone has easy access to resources and tools they can use to help take the lead in the wake of such tragedies.

Tools and Resources In the Wake of Charlottesville

First, let me state how proud I am to work in a field where museums and other institutions (AAM included) publicly denounce hatred and bigotry. Simply knowing there are places that offer respite to those affected by violence and intolerance helps make all the darkness a little more bearable.

3. Visitors of Color collaborators Porchia Moore and nikhil trivedi have created a guide for resistance in times of oppression and social injustice for personal empowerment including the role of museums in self-care and joy as important forms of resistance.

High-quality version (PDF)Friends, it&rs…

High-quality version (PDF)Friends, it’s been a tough few weeks. It’s particularly weighed on us because the racist demands of the protests in #charlottesville were effectively asking cultural heritage institutions to uphold white supremacy-institutions like the ones we’ve worked at for many years.In that light, Porchia and I put together this Guide for Resistance for our friends and loved ones asking folks to stay engaged with museums and to share your critique with them to push them in more just directions.

4. On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will experience an eclipse of the sun – the first total eclipse in the contiguous U.S. since 1979. iNaturalist, an open source citizen science platform administered by the California Academy of Sciences and in partnership with other museums and organizations around the world, asks eclipse viewers to record “How does life respond to the dramatic event of a total solar eclipse?” Cool project – check it out and participate!

Life Responds: Total Solar Eclipse 2017

The next solar eclipse is crossing the U.S. on August 21, 2017! How does life respond to the dramatic event of a total solar eclipse? There is some evidence that plant and animal life react to the environmental changes that occur during a total solar eclipse.

5. Antique dealers in Silver City, New Mexico found a Willem de Kooning painting stolen 31 years ago from the University of Arizona Museum of Art and had it safely returned to the museum. It’s a pretty great story of the artwork’s theft and recovery.

Stolen de Kooning Resurfaces More Than 30 Years Later

Mr. Burns said that when he first saw it, he just thought it was “cool and unique.” Then visitors began asking if it was a de Kooning, and they looked online, found an article about the still-missing work, and compared photos to the painting in their shop.

Do you have a great museum story to share?