Community Engagement & Impact

Everybody DIY: Why and how the Arizona Science Center created its own makespace.

By RaeAnn Fox

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2018 edition of Museum magazine. In the science center world, some have debated the relevance and value of makerspaces. They question whether investing in makerspaces is consistent with …
The Worcester Art Museum: A Re-envision Case Study

By Valerie Fletcher

THE VISION With the arrival of a new director in 2011, the board envisioned a more accessible and inclusive museum providing physical, sensory, intellectual, aesthetic, and social access for everyone. The board also aspired for the museum …
The Power of Amusement

By David Allison

David Allison is the Manager of Onsite Programs at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. How do museums fit in, confront, or adapt to a rapidly changing world? Now more than ever, this question becomes important for museum leaders. A …
Tools and Resources in the Wake of Charlottesville

By Cecelia Walls

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 …
From Brown vs. Board to Ferguson: Fostering Dialogue on Education, Incarceration, and Civil Rights

By Elizabeth Merritt

In researching the chapter on criminal justice reform for TrendsWatch 2017, I was impressed and heartened by the number of museums working with incarcerated populations. Today’s post is by Patricia Sigala, Educator/Community Outreach …
The Portal: A Real-Time Conversation with People Forced to Flee Violence

By Elizabeth Merritt

In TrendsWatch 2017 I highlight Shared Studio’s Portals in the chapter on Empathy. These bi-directional video walls host virtual “face-to-face” conversations between people around the world, and have been used by a variety of institutions, …
Serving Those Who Served: Engaging Veterans at Museums

By Sara Lowenburg

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2017 issue of Museum magazine. Museums are uniquely suited to build confidence, comfort, and community for veterans. Approximately 21.5 million veterans live in the United States. As they …
Inflatable Refugee

By Elizabeth Merritt

#Migration #Refugees @immigration_mv Follow the link in the photo caption to the associated story. You can find more glimpses of the future (and links) on CFM’s Pinter…
#AAM2017 Preview: using comics to have difficult conversations in museums

By Elizabeth Merritt

Greetings! Sage here. I have had the pleasure of working with Smithsonian Exhibits designer and comic book artist Evan Keeling for the past two years. Now we’ve developed an amazing panel of comic artists, educators and scholars from …
A Magnetic Science Center

By Anne Bergeron

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2017 issue of Museum magazine. How one museum used a community engagement business model to drive programming and growth. Magnetic: The Art and Science of Engagement, a best-selling book …