Building a Sense of Place: A Forum for Museums Partnering with Community

June 18-19, 1998
St. Louis, Missouri

Sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Missouri
Historical Society

Museums have a part to play in their community in addressing issues and
creating better living environments. As relevant, active community
partners, museums can build sustainable relationships that address
community needs while fulfilling institutional missions.  Join us for this
exciting and innovative program focusing on how to build those
relationships and become vibrant assets to the community-at-large.


Building A Sense of Place includes inspirational speakers who are leaders
in community involvement, time to network with other museum professionals,
and working sessions where participants will craft their own community
partnership plan.  This two-day forum is an opportunity for museum leaders
committed to community involvement to:

o       Develop a shared understanding of current community issues

o       Explore how museums can become participants in addressing these issues

o       Identify the skills and resources museum professionals need to become key
agents of change within their communities

o       Discuss the internal organizational change museums must make as they
commit to becoming community partners

This project includes two key components-a two-day forum for museum leaders
and community constituencies and a publication, to be released in the
spring of 1999.  The two-day forum will be held June 18-19, in St. Louis,
Missouri at the Sheraton West Port Inn.  Key audiences include museum
leaders, trustees, and representatives of community organizations working
with museums.

Participants are encouraged to register teams from their organizations
rather than individuals, although individual registrations will be
accepted.  Suggested team combinations include museum directors, senior
staff, museum trustees, and community leaders.  Sessions are designed to be
engaging and inspirational, encouraging open discussion about the topics
while providing participants with the tools necessary to affect change in
their communities.  Registration will be limited to 300 participants so
register early!

Forum facilitators are leaders in these issues and are at the forefront of
creating community partnerships:

Daniel Kemmis, director for the Center for the Rocky Mountain West and
former Mayor of Missoula, Montana.

Maureen McAvey, executive director, St. Louis Community Development
Corporation

Kathryn Nelson, community activist, St. Louis

Robert Archibald, president, Missouri Historical Society

Diane Frankel, director, IMLS

Diane Miller, director of community science, St. Louis Science Center

Erik Jolly, scientist, Educational Development Corporation

Mary Case and Will Phillips, partners, QM2

Registration includes all materials, opening reception, two lunches and one
dinner.  Individual registration is $125.00

Team registration is $100.00 for the first team member and $75.00 for all
additional team members.

For more information, contact Marsha Bray at 314/537-1643 or
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