I can't speak, but I sure would be interested in attending the session and
taking some - been there - done that - advice. Please help the rest of us!
Sandy
Pretend City

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Eugene Dillenburg
  Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2001 8:39 AM
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: Looking wayyyyy ahead...


  This week I received the program for the 2001 AAM Annual Meeting.  And it
reminds me -- the deadline for proposals for the 2002 meeting (in Dallas, if
I'm not mistaken) will be coming up in a few short months.

  I have an idea for a session, and I'd like to see if I can find some
speakers to join me.

  The tentative title is "Fabulous Failures: What We've Learned from Our
Great Mistakes."  It would feature projects -- preferably exhibits, but it
might be nice to include an education program or some other venture -- that
simply didn't work.  The point is NOT to humiliate ourselves, our
colleagues, or our present or former employers, but to learn what went
wrong, why, and what we learned from the experience.

  Failure is painful, especially in a medium as public -- and as
expensive -- as a museum.  But we all make mistakes.  And if we can learn
from them, it will make our future efforts better.  Or at least we'll know
better next time.

  So, what do you think?  If you desire anonymity you may write to me
directly, but I would encourage everyone to respond on-list.  One brave soul
coming out of the closet and owning up to his/her gaffe may inspire others
to do the same.  Besides, it might be fun!

  -- Gene

  "It takes great courage to be ugly in a world gone cute."