*Enhance Leadership Skills
*Explore the Challenges of Diversity in Museums
*Examine Critical Issues in Museums

The Center for Museum Studies, Smithsonian Institution, is now
accepting applications for the annual Awards for Museum
Leadership seminar July 15-19, 1996.  Deadline for applications
is May 10, 1996.

The Awards for Museum Leadership Seminar is an annual five day
program that explores diversity issues in the museum environment
and provides training opportunities for enhancing leadership
skills and competencies.  Throughout the seminar, held at the
Smithsonian Institution, participants will gain a broader view of
the museum field and make connections to a network of colleagues.
The long term goal of the Awards for Museum Leadership Seminar is
to expand the diversity of museum staff in leadership positions.

This program targets the career development needs of African
American, Alaskan Native, American Indian, Asian American,
Latino/a, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island professionals in all
disciplines and functional areas of museum work.   Applicants
should be in the early years of their museum career (3 to 8 years
after completion of formal education).  The program is intended
for individuals seeking experiences that will help prepare them
for leadership roles in the museum profession.  Previous
recipients of the Awards for Museum Leadership are ineligible to
apply.

The 1996 curriculum emphasizes problem-solving strategies,
communication skills and team building techniques.  Through an
interactive format, participants can expect to gather and analyze
information, lead and critique discussions and examine current
issues in the museum profession.

Fifteen individuals will be selected.  Each participant will
receive an award as partial financial assistance for travel and
living expenses incurred during the seminar.  The financial award
may vary depending upon the applicant's geographic location.  The
Center for Museum Studies encourages applicants to seek
additional resources to supplement their stay.

Faculty for the Awards for Museum Leadership Seminar are
specialists in museology, cultural diversity and professional
training and development.  Faculty for the 1996 program include
Dr. Lawrence J. Pijeaux, Executive Director, Birmingham Civil
Rights Institute, Birmingham, AL; Jane Delgado, Executive
Director, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY; and Dr. Lonnie
G. Bunch, Associate Director for Historical Resources, National
Museum of American History, Washington, DC.

How to Apply:
Applicants submit a formal application letter, not to exceed
three pages, and a one-page resume with social security number
included.

Applicants must also have two letters of reference sent directly
to the Center for Museum Studies:  a one-page institutional
letter of reference and a one-page personal letter of reference
from an individual selected by the applicant.  These letters
should assess the applicant's capacity to play a leadership role
in the profession and his or her potential to benefit from
participation in the seminar.  Evidence of an applicant's
qualifications and appropriateness may be taken from professional
and community activities.

The following questions must be answered in the application
letter:

1.  What are your objectives in attending this seminar?

2.  What are your personal and professional goals?

3.  What skills and knowledge do you bring to this seminar?

4.  What new skills and knowledge are you interested in exploring
at this stage of your career?

5.  How do you plan to acquire them?

6.  Describe your institution.  Include audience, scope of
collection, number of staff (paid and unpaid), annual
institutional budget and department budget if applicable.

7.  What are your current job responsibilities?

8.  What role do you play in the overall operations of your
institution?

9.  What challenges do you encounter?

10. What methods have you employed to address them?

Submit the formal application and the resume on plain, white 8
1/2 by 11 inch bond paper.  Send one original and five copies; do
not staple or bind the papers.  Do not send supplemental
materials. Deadline for receipt of applications is May 10, 1996

Applicants must show demonstrated evidence of:

*Oral and written communication skills

*Ability to relate to others

*Potential to effect change

*Knowledge of and commitment to the museum field

*Openness to new ideas

*Ability to think creatively and critically, to grasp  concepts
and to apply them in new settings


All parts of your application must be postmarked by May 10, 1996.
FAX transmissions will not be accepted.  Send application letters
to:

Awards for Museum Leadership Seminar
Center for Museum Studies
900 Jefferson Drive, SW
MRC 427
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20560

You will receive a postcard indicating receipt of your completed
application within two (2) weeks of its arrival.

For additional information, contact Bob Kidd, Program Manager,
Center for Museum Studies, at (202) 357-3101, e-mail:
[log in to unmask]

Bruce C. Craig              Internet:  [log in to unmask]
Center for Museum Studies   Smithsonian Institution
A&I 2235-MRC427             Washington, DC  20560
(202) 357-3148              FAX:(202) 357-3346