Announcing:

TAKING A DAY OFF: RETHINKING THE ROLE OF CONTROVERSY

Co-Sponsored by Museum Education Roundtable (MER), National Association for
Museum Exhibition (NAME), Graduate Programs in MuseumEducation, George Washington University and in collaboration with the U.S.
Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Date: Friday, November 15, 1996
Time:  10am to 4pm
Where: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place,
Washington, DC (METRO: Smithsonian - Independence Ave exit)
Cost: $35.00 MER/NAME Members
 $45.00 non-members

Registration due by November 11, 1996
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - -

"Enola Gay" was not the first exhibition to be controversial -- nor will it
be the last. . .

Some museums aim to be provocative -- others steer clear.  Recent actions of
a number of the nation's cultural institutions have raised questions about
the intellectual integrity of museum exhibitions.  This day-long seminar
revisits some of these decisions and invites you to consider:

What is the definition of "controversy?"  What are the forces that create
controversy?  Who draws the line between discussion and conflict?  How do
museums successfully manage sensitive topics?  Do exhibitions about sensitive
topics offend visitors or stimulate critical thinking?

The program includes a tour of the Holocaust Museum's Permanent Exhibition.

THE PROGRAM

Morning Session

James K. Ballinger, Director, Phoenix Art Museum
"Old Glory: The American Flag in Contemporary Art"

Roberta Cook, M.D., Chief Scientist, Franklin Institute
"What About Aids" and "Girls and Boys: What's the Difference?"

Susan Bachrach, History Exhibitions and Educational Publications, U.S.
Holocaust Memorial Museum
"The Nazi Olympics: Berlin, 1936"

Moderated by Stanley Turesky, Director of Congressional Relations, U.S.
Holocaust Memorial Museum


Afternoon Panel

Opening remarks by Cary Carson, Vice President for Research, The Colonial
Williamsburg Foundation

Verdamae Grosvernor, Correspondent, National Public Radio

Philip Burnham, Journalist and Author, How the Other Half Lived: A People's
Guide to Historic Sites

Jason Hall, Director of Government & Public Affairs, American Association of
Museums

Moderated by David Levy, President and Director, Corcoran Gallery of Art

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - -

Registration Form

Name:
Position/Institution:
Address (preferred mailing address)
City/State/Zip
Work Phone
Home Phone
Fax
E-mail

Return this form with payment (Checks payable to Museum Education Roundtable)
to:

Museum Education Roundtable
3000 Connecticut Ave, NW, Ste 237D
Washington, DC 20008