Posts
Leadership
The Museum System Upgrade: A Q&A with András Szántó
In the early days of COVID lockdowns, longtime cultural consultant and writer András Szántó began interviewing dozens of museum leaders around the world. As the pandemic simultaneously …
More Than Words Solidarity Statements and Action
When it comes to structural racism, museums must be honest about their past mistakes, including how they will address them and what they believe in now. Sites of Conscience members will …
Community, connection and activism at the National Museum of African Art
Ngaire Blankenberg , the new director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art (), has been a consultant for museums and cultural destinations around the world. She draws on a …
The Role of the Board in Times of Crisis
This is a recorded session from the 2020 AAM Virtual Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo. As the world responds to the impacts of COVID‐19, many museums are faced with the challenge to …
Museum Boards: Ethics, Transparency, and Public Scrutiny
This is a recorded session from the 2020 AAM Virtual Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo. This session addresses the recent controversies surrounding museum trustees who have been the target of …
Hindsight is 2020: What We Learned About Leadership in a Crisis
At the height of the pandemic, as so many aspects of our professional and personal lives hung in the balance and emotions fluctuated between despair and hope, effective leadership surfaced …
The Era of the Visionary Museum Director Is Over … or It Should Be
I recall interviewing as a candidate for director positions, and "What is your vision?" was the most common question. The question requires candidates to take their limited knowledge of an …
Rethinking Our Human Resources Practices to Build a More Equitable Museum
Less than three weeks after COVID forced museums around the globe to close their doors last year, an article by Arundhati Roy in The Financial Times titled “The Pandemic is a Portal” …
Strengthening Our Core: How Defining Shared Values Can Revitalize Teams
All aquariums, zoos, and museums have core values—beliefs, philosophies, and principles that drive the organization. These values support the organization’s vision, shape its culture, and …
How to Master Humble Learning, a Requirement for Cultural Competence
Among dancers, there is a common saying that even an advanced dancer can always work on their basic step. I have been a salsa and Latin dancer for over a decade, but when I attend a …
Running with Scissors (and a Mask!): COVID-19 Responses at Old Salem Museums & Gardens
Just as flexible buildings can withstand hurricane-force winds and earthquakes, flexible institutions can withstand monumental challenges like a global pandemic. Because of our four years …
onePULSE, Many Perspectives: Collaborating with Diverse Stakeholders to Develop the National Pulse Memorial & Museum
In the aftermath of a tragedy, there is no one way for communities to grieve and heal. This is especially true when the event impacts people on a national or even international scale. The …
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2023 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo
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American Alliance of Museums
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Latest Stories from AAM
Elevating Sustainability Efforts in Museum Dining Operations
Category:
Alliance Blog
As museums encourage visitors to learn and think about what is possible, sustainability is no longer a behind-the-scenes activity. Beyond LEED-certified buildings and facilities operations, …
Museum Colleague Shoutouts for 2023
Category:
Alliance Blog
Last month we asked readers of our Field Notes newsletter to share their shoutouts for outstanding museum colleagues in honor of the new year. Here were some of the responses they shared: …
Chatting About Museums with ChatGPT
Category:
Center for the Future Of Museums Blog
Two months ago, the research and development lab OpenAI released ChatGPT, an interactive “chatbot” powered by artificial intelligence. Chatbots aren’t new (I’ve been writing about …