Carolyn Brady asked:
Does anyone out there have programs/exhibits in their museums which=
 explain
how their institutions function?=20
 
I wondered about anyone's experience with this. It is obviously an
important but perhaps often overlooked responsibility to "show ourselves"
and explain ourselves to visitors. Our museum is just beginning to=
 make an
effort to explain who we are, what we do and more importantly, why.=
  We are
in the process of installing an exhibition titled "Ethiopia: Traditions=
 of
Creativity" and one of the things we're experimenting with is a kiosk
titled "Why Ethiopia" where we explain why we selected this topic=
 and a
history of the development of the exhibit including field research.=
  We
have also included quotations from the artists represented and from=
 the
curator in an effort to let people know whose opinions and perspective=
 is
presented.=20
 
 I'm curious about the experience of others in "unveiling the workings"=
 of
their museums. [This reminds me of the scene in the Wizard of Oz=
 where they
pull back the curtains to see not a Wizard but a "kind educated man"-=
 less
exciting but perhaps more real and person!
 
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Kris Morrissey, Ph.D.
Curator of Interpretation
Michigan State University Museum
E. Lansing, MI   48824
517 353-1943
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