SmithSonianaffiliationSnationalConferenCeJune 13-15, 2010

WelCome to the SmithSonian affiliationS

national ConferenCe

2010

Welcome to the 2010 Smithsonian affiliations national Conference. We are pleased that so many have come from near and far to participate in this important gathering. today, more than ever, museums, cultural, and educa-

tional organizations face great opportunities as well as great challenges. the landscape is much different than when this program began fourteen years ago, but the core goal of Smithsonian affiliations — fostering collaboration and sharing resources — remains essential. We have seen the fruits of these collaborations in countless ways and have learned from each other as our unique network continues to find new ways to connect and build partnerships for the benefit of our audiences and communities.

this year’s conference offers the same variety as in the past but adds a new element that will weave its way through all of our conversations. Inspiring Generations Through Knowledge and Discovery, the Smithsonian’s new strategic plan, charts a course for the institution that places great value in strengthening research, revitalizing education, and making our collections more accessible.

the strategic plan is organized around a framework that builds on the Smithsonian’s strengths and aims “to be a source of pride to americans and a fount of knowledge and inspiration to the world.” throughout the conference, and especially during our “Grand Challenges” roundtable session, we invite you to reflect on your own organization’s strengths to think with us about new opportunities for partnership and collaboration.

We are delighted that you have taken the time to join us and look forward to a lively exchange of ideas in the company of colleagues and friends.

harold a. ClosterDirectorSmithsonian affiliations

Director’s Message

Program at a GlanceSunday, June 133:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Gardenregistration

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Art Lab, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Gardenorientation for new and existing affiliates

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sculpture Garden, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenWelcome reception

Monday, June 148:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.Café, National Museum of Natural HistoryConference registration and Breakfast

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural HistoryPartnering for Success: Getting the most from Your affiliation

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Executive Conference Room, National Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian resource fair

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.lunch on your own

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural HistoryKeynote address: Can museums Save the World?

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.Executive Conference Room, National Museum of Natural HistoryBuilding Your Brand: Strategies for increasing audiences and Visibility through Your affiliation

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.Cathy Kerby Room, National Museum of Natural HistoryStanding outside Your Door: new ideas for Visitor Services

4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.Executive Conference Room, National Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian’s new Grand Challenges offer Grand opportunities for affiliates

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.First Floor, National Museum of Natural History, Since Darwin: The Evolution of Evolution exhibition hallaffiliate happy hour

Tuesday, June 158:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley CenterBreakfast and mit presentation: “mass extinction” interactive game

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.S. Dillon Ripley Center (buses staged outside)Shuttle to tour locations

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.off the mall Smithsonian tours

11:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.Smithsonian American Art MuseumGhosts of a Chance interactive Game

lunch on your own

1:30 p.m. –2:30 p.m.Lecture Hall, S. Dillon Ripley CenterKeynote address: the future of museums: Strategies for Survival and Success

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.Room 3035, S. Dillon Ripley CenterPursuing excellence with aam

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.Room 3037, S. Dillon Ripley CenterSocial media for museums: return on investment vs. return on engagement

4:00 – 5:15 p.m.Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Centerfunder Speed Dating: find Your Perfect match

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Congressional Atrium, Capitol Visitor CenterSmithsonian affiliations Congressional reception

2010 Smithsonian AffiliationsNational Conference

Sunday, June 133:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenRegistration

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Art Lab, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Orientation for New & Existing Affiliates

orientation is an opportunity to learn about all the benefits and resources available to you as a Smithsonian affiliate.

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Sculpture Garden, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenWelcome ReceptionSusan lake, Director of Collection Management and Chief Conservator, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Agenda

Monday, June 148:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.Café, National Museum of Natural HistoryConference Registration and Breakfast

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural HistoryPartnering For Success: Getting the Most from Your Affiliation nancy Crane, Director of Education, York County Culture & Heritage Museums Patricia Grant, Curator of Exhibits, Historic Arkansas Museumelise B. misiorowski, Exhibit Curator, San Diego Natural History MuseumCourtney Wilson, Executive Director, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum

affiliate partners will discuss the many different ways their organizations have benefited from participating in the Smithsonian affiliations program.

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Executive Conference Room, National Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian Resource Fairmeet with liaisons from the following Smithsonian museums, programs, and offices.

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Lunch on your own

anacostia Community museum national air and Space museum national museum of african art freer/Sackler Gallery national museum of american history national museum of the american indian national Postal museum office of exhibits Centralnational museum of natural history naturalist CenterSmithsonian american art museum national Portrait Gallery archives of american art Smithsonian institution libraries Smithsonian magazine Smithsonian Books

Smithsonian early enrichment Center Smithsonian accessibility ProgramSmithsonian institution traveling

exhibition Service Smithsonian latino Center Smithsonian Journeys and Collette

Vacationsthe Smithsonian associates Smithsonian folkways recordingsCenter for folklife and Cultural heritage Smithsonian Center for education and

museum Studies Smithsonian astrophysical observatory Smithsonian environmental research

Center

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural HistoryKeynote Address: Can Museums Save the World? Cristián Samper, Director, National Museum of Natural HistoryJohnnetta B. Cole, Director, National Museum of African Art

Do museums have a special responsibility beyond the traditional mission of collecting, preserving, and interpreting? Should our resources and energies be used to tackle the world’s great problems? two Smithsonian leaders offer their insights on how a natural history museum and an art museum are addressing these issues and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (Concurrent Sessions)Executive Conference Room, National Museum of Natural HistoryBuilding Your Brand: Strategies for Increasing Audiences and Visibility Through Your AffiliationShawna forsberg, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Durham Museum Peter Gibbons, Director, the Retail Group, Smithsonian Enterprisesandrew e. masich, President/CEO, Senator John Heinz History Center

Smithsonian affiliates are among the most well-known and respected non-profit organizations in their communities. how can the Smithsonian and Smithsonian affiliates leverage the power of their names for greater success in membership, earned income, fundraising, and heightened community awareness? this session explores the benefits of branding with examples from the front lines.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (Concurrent Sessions)Cathy Kerby Room, East Court, 3rd Floor, Room CE-340, National Museum of Natural HistoryStanding Outside Your Door: New Ideas for Visitor ServicesCamilla S. Clough, Senior Program Producer, Office of Public Programs, National Museum of American Historyrichard Pickering, Deputy Director, Plimoth Plantation

Plimoth Plantation and the national museum of american history have conducted extensive visitor analysis and observation in recent years. this panel will explore the strategies they’ve employed to achieve superlative visitor experience as a result of their study. ideas such as increasing the quality of face-time with visitors, employing a zero tolerance approach to poor customer service, and fully engaging all levels of staff in visitor services will be discussed.

4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.mExecutive Conference Room, National Museum of Natural HistoryRoundtables: Smithsonian’s New Grand Challenges Offer Grand Opportunities for Affiliates

the Smithsonian’s new strategic plan identifies four grand challenges that call for the Smithsonian to broaden access and reach new audiences by bringing the resources of our museums and research centers to people where they learn and live. the strategic plan also calls for the Smithsonian to strengthen american education and enhance our nation’s ability to compete globally. affiliates are the foundation for diffusing these resources to their communities across the country. We’ve invited Smithsonian experts taking on each of these grand challenges to discuss potential collaborative opportunities with affiliates.

Roundtable 1:Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universemargaret Weitekamp, Curator, National Air and Space Museumerika reinfeld, Education Specialist, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatorytim mcCoy, Chair, Department of Mineral Sciences, National Museum of Natural History

Roundtable 2:Understanding & Sustaining a Biodiverse Planetmark haddon, Director of Education, Smithsonian Environmental Research Centernancy Knowlton, Sant Chair for Marine Sciences, National Museum of Natural History

Roundtable 3:Valuing World CulturesJohn homiak, Director, National Anthropology Collections & Archives, National Museum of Natural Historymagdalena mieri, Director, Program in Latino History and Culture, National Museum of American History

Roundtable 4:Understanding the American ExperienceDiana Baird n’Diaye, Cultural Specialist and Curator, Center for Folklife and Cultural HeritageSusan nichols, Lunder Education Chair, Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery Roundtable 5:Revitalizing EducationDeborah Stokes, Curator for Education, National Museum of African ArtStephanie L. Norby, Executive Director, Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studiestricia edwards, Education Specialist, National Museum of American History

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.Since Darwin: The Evolution of Evolution, First Floor Exhibit, National Museum of Natural HistoryAffiliate Happy Hour Reception

TueSday, June 158:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley CenterBreakfast and MIT presentation of “Mass Extinction” interactive gameeric Klopfer, Associate Professor and Director of the MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program

the educational game designers at mit’s education arcade have been working with Smithsonian scientists and educators to create maSS eXtinCtion, an online curated game for middle school students to be played over six weeks in the spring of 2011. find out how you can get involved.

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.Shuttle from S. Dillon Ripley Center to tour locations

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.Smithsonian Tours

Tour 1: Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute (MCI)Paula t. DePriest, Deputy Directorthe mCi provides research and education in the conservation, preservation, technical study, and analysis of museum collection items and related materials. Conference attendees will get a first-hand look at current conservation projects underway.

Tour 2: Smithsonian Museum Support Center (MSC)elizabeth Dietrich, DirectorJeff Williams, Collections Manager for Fishes, Department of Vertebrate ZoologyDeb hull-Walski, Collections Manager for Department of Anthropologythe mSC is the principal off-site conservation and collections facility for multiple Smithsonian museums. it has over 12 miles of cabinets, and more than 31 million objects. attendees on this tour will see rarely-seen artifacts from a variety of Smithsonian collections.

Tour 3: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Cultural Resources Centerlinda Greatorex, Assistant Collections ManagerSharla Blanche, Associate Registrarraj Solanki, Registration Specialist attendees on this tour will get a brief history about nmai and discussion of architectural elements of the building, and visits into the collections storage area and Conservation laboratory to see what is currently being conserved.

Tour 4: Smithsonian Office of Exhibits Central (OEC)mike headley, DirectoroeC is the Smithsonian’s largest and most comprehensive exhibit producer. they create permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions for museums, research centers, and offices throughout the Smithsonian institution and its affiliates. those attendees participating in this tour will get a rare, insider’s view into the creative process of fabricating exhibitions.

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Additional Smithsonian Tour“Ghosts of a Chance Game” at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

the american art museum was the first museum in the world to develop and host an alternate reality game, a new way of engaging with the collection in its luce foundation Center. in this spin-off version, you’ll send text messages, decipher codes, uncover hidden objects, and answer questions in order to complete your quest. Before you depart, creators Georgina Goodlander and Bridget Callahan will fill you in on how this extraordinary game was developed.

Lunch on your own

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Lecture Hall, S. Dillon Ripley CenterKeynote Address The Future of Museums: Strategies for Survival and Successelizabeth merritt, Founding Director, Center for the Future of Museums, American Association of Museums

Changing demographics, new technologies, globalization, and generational transformations — which of these and other trends will determine the future of museums? ever insightful, elizabeth merritt shares her research and challenges us with information necessary for long-term planning and survival.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (Concurrent Sessions)Room 3035, S. Dillon Ripley CenterPursuing Excellence with AAM Julie hart, Senior Director, Museum Standards & Excellence, American Association of Museumsanne mcCudden, Director, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

learn the what, why, and how of aam’s Standards and Best Practices for u.S. museums, and the museum assessment and accreditation Programs (maP) that are built around them. then move from theory to practice as you hear a fellow Si affiliate talk about how pursuing standards through aam programs benefited the museum. return home with tips on how your museum can start using the standards, and an understanding of how the standards are relevant to you.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (Concurrent Sessions)Room 3037, S. Dillon Ripley CenterSocial Media for Museums: Return on Investment vs. Return on EngagementSarah taylor, Public Affairs Specialist, Office of Public Affairs, Smithsonian InstitutionSarah Banks, Social Media and Special Projects Manager, National Museum of Natural HistorySamantha mcCoy, Communications Specialist, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture

how do you measure social media success? it’s not an easy thing to determine or measure. So how do you respond to the demands of this constantly-changing market? traditional measures and metrics are not easily applied to social media. We asked our three panelists how they are tackling this subject and they’ll share their methods in this panel.

4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley CenterFunder Speed Dating: Find Your Perfect Match

What better way to find out about new funding opportunities than meeting representatives from some of the top funding agencies. in true speed-dating style, attendees will be rotated around each table in order to have the same amount of time with each funder.

Sandra m. narva, Senior Program Officer, Office of Museum Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services

Barbara Bays and Kathleen mulvaney, Senior Program Officers, Division of Public Programs, National Endowment for the Humanities

J. Scott robinson, Director, Office of Sponsored Projects, Smithsonian Institution

margarita l. meléndez, Teaching American History Program, U.S. Department of Education

Sylvia m. James, Program Director, National Science Foundation

robert frankel, Museums and Visual Arts Director, National Endowment for the Arts

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Congressional Atrium, Capitol Visitor CenterCongressional ReceptionHors d’oeuvres and buffetrichard r. Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture, Smithsonian Institution

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