CALL FOR PROPOSALS

InterActivity 1998
Association of Youth Museums
"Innovation by Design"
Hosted by Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
May 7-9, 1998

Proposal Deadline:  August 22, 1997


Creative tension between thoughtful practice and innovative daring has
characterized the children's museum culture for nearly a century.  Our
institutions have led field-wide thinking about how to engage new audiences,
build community, and transform exhibition and program paradigms.  From
tackling non-traditional subject matter in our exhibitions to aligning
ourselves with non-traditional partners, we are continuously in search of new
and more effective means to serve children and families.  In San Jose, the
Association of Youth Museums will celebrate this proud tradition of
innovation and challenge everyone to envision bold new possibilities - for
children, children's museums, and ourselves.

The program for InterActivity 1998 will feature six thematic streams designed
to showcase the creativity and innovation that defines our field.  Cutting
across disciplines, the following streams will provide a holistic look at our
evolving institutions and capture the dynamic spirit that all children's
museum share:  Beginning, Learning, Building, Connecting, Inventing,
Changing.  You are invited to submit a program proposal that touches upon one
or more of these streams and supports the main theme of Innovation by Design.
 This year's streams are designed to meet the needs of museum professionals
at various levels of experience and are intentionally open-ended to allow for
maximum flexibility in interpretation.  As you formulate your program
proposal, we challenge you to exercise your own creativity in defining what
this year's thematic streams mean to you.  Only by drawing on the collective
talent inside and outside our field today can we hope to innovate for the
future.  Please help us to shape this year's program by submitting a proposal
for InterActivity 1998.  To receive a program proposal form, please contact
the AYM office.

Association of Youth Museums
1775 K Street, NW  Suite 595
Washington, DC  20006
Phone (202) 466-4144
Fax (202) 466-4233
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