• Our Bright Future: Idealists and pragmatists work together to build a sustainable world.

    Introduction to This Scenario “Our Bright Future” is a story based on the hopes and aspirations that museum people shared with AAM’s Center for the Future of Museums when we asked, “What is the best future you can imagine?” While it is …
  • Futurist Friday: a World Without Books

    Nothing cheers me up like a bit of distopic future fiction, so to brighten your Friday I share “The Inksect,” by Mexican filmmaker Pablo Calvillo. This short (9 min) animation asks “what would happen if the human race …
  • Made Any Great Mistakes Lately?

    Today’s preview of a session at the upcoming AAM annual meeting is offered by Kathy Gustafson-Hilton, Creative Thinking Facilitator, Hands On! Studio. Made any mistakes lately? I know I have! Come on down and share yours, and what you …
  • Your Guide to the Future at AAM 2018

    Every year I write a futurist’s guide to the AAM annual meeting, recommending sessions that explore trends shaping our world and examples of museums adapting to those trends. This being the tenth anniversary of CFM, I’ve cast a broad net, …
  • Museums At 2040: Hello, and Welcome to The Future.

    This article originally appeared in the November/December 2017 issue of the Museum magazine. My talk today is a reflection on where we’ve been and where we are today. It shares my vision for tomorrow as well, in which a coalition of …
  • Introducing Museum 2040

    The November/December issue of Museum mailed out yesterday, as well as going up on the web. (This issue of the magazine is available as a free download for members and non-members alike).  When you open your print or digital copy, you may …
  • Let’s Chat About the Future in St. Louis

    I love the sessions at the annual meeting but just as valuable, for me, is the chance to meet new people, reconnect with colleagues, and have so many interesting conversations that my head is swimming by the end of the day.  This is an …
  • Museums and Well Being

    Our next annual meeting guest post previews a session I’m particularly excited about. Rainey Tisdale has assembled a panel of researchers and museum practitioners studying how museums can contribute to our individual and collective well …
  • TrendsWatch: Now Live On the Web

    Each year there’s a fleeting instant when I’m more or less happy with TrendsWatch—the moment I hit “send” to transmit the text to my editor. Then I open my news feed and see a great story related to one of TrendsWatch themes and IT’S TOO …
  • Failing Forward: Prototyping, Mistakes, and What We Learned

    Our next annual meeting preview comes from Linda Norris, Danielle Steinmann, and Maura Hallisey. At their session “Failing Forward” (11:15 am on Wednesday, May 10) they will share stories about rapid prototyping from the perspective of two …

Latest Stories from AAM

Demographics of US Museum-Goers: 2025 Update

Category: Alliance Blog
This visual Data Story is based on findings from the 2025 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers, …

September Monthly Advocacy Alert: Federal Funding, IMLS, and Advocacy Webinar

Advocacy Alert – September 12, 2025 In this Alliance Advocacy Alert: Updates and …

Ask the Expert: Collections Insurance

Join Cecelia Walls, Assistant Director, Learning Content & …

AAM Member-Only Content

AAM Members get exclusive access to premium digital content including:

  • Featured articles from Museum magazine
  • Access to more than 1,500 resource listings from the Resource Center
  • Tools, reports, and templates for equipping your work in museums
Log In

We're Sorry

Your current membership level does not allow you to access this content.

Upgrade Your Membership

Subscribe to Field Notes!

Packed with stories and insights for museum people, Field Notes is delivered to your inbox every Monday. Once you've completed the form below, confirm your subscription in the email sent to you.

If you are a current AAM member, please sign-up using the email address associated with your account.

Are you a museum professional?

Are you a current AAM member?

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription, and please add communications@aam-us.org to your safe sender list.