** Proprietary **

MIDWEST MUSEUMS CONFERENCE #97 COMING TO KANSAS CITY

Contacts:
Esther Hockett, MMC Executive Director 314-454-3110
Elizabeth Danforth, MMC #97 Public Relations Co-Chair; Powell Gardens
816-697-2600
Michelle Bolton, MMC #97 Public Relations Co-Chair, Kemper Museum of
Contemporary Art 816-753-5784

Kansas City is gearing up to host the 1997 Midwest Museums
Conference (MMC #97) annual meeting, September 24-27, 1997.  The
Downtown Marriott will be the location for ht econference which will
bring approximately 500 museum profession from around the Midwest to
Kansas City.  Registration materials will be available mid-summer 1997.

Guiding this year#s theme, Dancing on the New Frontier, are museums#
increase needs to embrace change, opportunities, and risk.  #The 1997
program will allow us to explore our ability to think beyond the traditional
and to navigate the new frontier,# said MMC Executive Director Esther
Hockett.

Conference activities will encourage participants to move with energy,
innovation and joy into unfamiliar, new territory.  Workshops will tackle
how to handle new and unexpected partnerships, how to adapt to
accelerated rates of change, and how to implement effective
management techniques.  Speakers and sessions will emphasize
motivating staff, maintaining economic sustainablity and public service
accountability, and dealing with rapidly changing technology.  Evening
and day excursions will showcase area museums, galleries, and
attractions.

A local steering committee representing 20 area institutions has worked
together for more than a year to design the framework for the
conference.

The purpose of the Midwest Museums Conference is to strengthen
museums and the museum profession within the states of Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.  Because of
Kansas City#s location, Kansas will also be an active part of the 1997
meeting.  MMC#s annual meeting brings together museum professionals to
discuss relevant issues, encourage professional growth and
cooperation, promote professional standards and perspectives,
disseminate information, and provide educational programs and services.