Jeff,
That is beautifully stated. Some institutions effectively use collections
and preservation issues to engage the public and build awareness of the
challenges museum face regarding preservation, but this effort needs to be
stepped up. Collections awareness needs to be a big part of public outreach
and museum education not just for the general public, but for donors,
foundations, government agencies, and politicians as well.  

Cynthia Conides
Executive Director
Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Tenuth, Jeff
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 7:59 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Challenges facing museums today!

The primary challenge facing museums today is how to remain museums in a
traditional sense, while becoming more involved and relevant in our
communities, rather than apart from them.  As Dean Krimmel said,
"Figuring out how to be of value to a bewildering array of constituents,
stakeholders, audiences" has never been more true.  We do that by
staying true to our traditional missions, despite the pressures to
become something other than what we have always been:  places of
preservation.  We also do that by adapting to changing times, changing
needs and changing perceptions.  But in the last twenty years many
institutions have gone too far and neglected their collections in favor
or embracing change with no apparent goal in mind.  The ability to adapt
to changing social needs, while maintaining our core values are what
make us relevant.  But as soon as we de-emphasize the preservation of
collections in favor of what we think audiences, stakeholders and
constituents want, then we cease to be museums and the discussion is
over.  We then become something else that I don't have a name for, but
it certainly is not a museum. More studies are needed and much more data
needs to be collected before we can be sure what our audiences really
want and need.  But what is clear from the Heritage Preservaton study of
2006 is that collections are in peril.  We need to stay aware of what
happens when our collection are gone and can't be replaced.  It's a fine
line between maintaining traditions and adapting to new priorities, but
we don't seem to have a choice. 

Jeff Tenuth

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Dean Krimmel
Sent: Sunday, August 09, 2009 8:21 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Challenges facing museums today!

Figuring out how to be of value to a bewildering array of constituents,
stakeholders, audiences. Making museums matter.

Dean Krimmel, Creative Museum Services/Qm2 Helping Museums and Cultural
Nonprofits
423 Range Road  Baltimore, MD 21204
[log in to unmask]; 410-746-8350
http://www.qm2.org; http://www.linkedin.com/in/deankrimmel


How does your organization describe itself? Here's one of my favorites: 
WTMD is listener-supported radio from the campus of Towson University.
We believe that music can change the world.
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Sean Schumacher
Sent: Sunday, August 09, 2009 1:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Challenges facing museums today!

I pose this question to all museum professionals. 

 Aside from the current economic crisis, what do you see as the primary
challenges confronting the museum field today?

Cheers,
Sean Schumacher
 

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