Save the Date! Empowering Cultural Professionals: Harnessing AI for Career Growth Workshop with Audrey Chang and Brad McDonald Thursday, February 27, 2025 2:00 p.m. ET |
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This workshop will focus on advancing professional development and career growth within museums and cultural institutions in the age of AI. Through group reflections and collaborative activities, we will explore how AI is reshaping our work and consider its opportunities and challenges. Audrey and Brad will present real-world examples of AI-driven innovations, setting the stage for breakout work sessions. These discussions will delve into fostering inclusivity, building talent pipelines, and evaluating emerging technologies while keeping in focus institutional mission and building visitor trust. The session will close with group reflections and actionable takeaways, empowering attendees to integrate AI into their career journeys and influence institutional practices on strategic investments in people and technology tools. Registrants will be sent a few simple questions in advance of the workshop to guide the conversation and we will conduct an original AI exercise during the workshop.
Audrey Chang’s experience includes administration and leadership in multiple cultural and scientific institutions, including her service at the Smithsonian Institution. She currently serves as the Director of International Relations at the National Museum of Natural Science in Taiwan.
Brad McDonald is an experienced designer, game designer, artist, musician, and storyteller. He specializes in using technology and user experience expertise to create narratives for museums, cultural institutions, and corporate partners. Since 2014, Brad has taught at Parsons School of Design, NYU's Tandon School of Engineering, and the China Academy of Arts in Hangzhou. |
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You can still support us with a charitable gift! |
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We'd like to thank all our friends and colleagues who have responded to our call for support. These donations will enable us to continue offering free, diverse, and quality programming in 2025. However, our 100% volunteer-run organization still has to cover basic costs to make that possible. In the last week of 2024, we humbly asked for your support and as the new year begins would like to remind you of our need. If you have not done so, please consider a gift of any size to MuseumExpert.org now. With your help, we will continue to support the museum professional community. We'd like to recognize the following donors so far: Brenda Granger Ben Uri Museum M.A. Woyton Karol Lawson Laura Lott Gilian Thomas Christine Ruffo Lesley Lewis M. Storckstdieck Paul Orselli Elsa Bailey Colleen Carter Eric Havel Animated Exhibitions Katey Ahman Steve Snyder Marsha Semmel Carlin Hsue |
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MuseumExpert.org was honored to host the Re-thinking the Art Museum webinar on January 14. We thank our moderators, Marsha Semmel and Avi Decter, and our three panelists, Cindy Meyers-Foley, Brian Lee Whisenhunt, and Juliana Ochs Dweck, for their great insights and the stimulating conversation about the current and future roles of art museums and how they can further evolve to become more community focused, inclusive, and transparent.
One highlight of the conversation emphasized including diverse museum constituents in decision-making about which artifacts are chosen for display as well as the need to ensure that new acquisitions truly reflect local communities. Cindy shared a recent initiative from the Grand Rapids Art Museum that involved broadening its donor base. Brian pointed out that it makes for a much more interesting and inclusive experience when museums showcase a diversity of perspectives. And Juliana encouraged us to "play the long game" as we consider future pathways for art museums. Finally, Avi guided us to shift our thinking from considering art collections and exhibits away from being about someone and towards being for someone.
Again, we thank our moderators, panelists, and attendees (almost 100 in total)! If you could not join the program last week, remember you can always catch up at your convenience (or introduce colleagues to MuseumExpert.org programming) since recordings of MuseumExpert.org programs are available for free.
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Behind-the-Scenes at MuseumExpert.org Working as a volunteer requires a significant commitment of time and energy. That is certainly true for the people who staff MuseumExpert.org webinars and communications. These volunteers keep our organization alive and running. We have not one single paid staff member and are able to offer free programming to the field only because of these individuals' hard work. When MuseumExpert.org launched in the middle of the Covid pandemic, most had personally felt the museum field's upheavals but found hope in working through MuseumExpert.org to support their peers. Today, their professional lives are on track, but all remain aware of the field's continuing challenges and are dedicated to helping MuseumExpert.org work towards the greater good. I cannot think of a more committed and skilled team moving forward. My sincere thanks and appreciation to all of them. Walter Staveloz MuseumExpert.org founder Colleen Carter, Co-Founder and Senior Project Manager, Copper Creek Partners Wendy Hancock, Museum and Cultural Programs Professional Eric Havel, Environmental Education Facilitator, Community Resources for Science Kathryn Huneault, Sales Consultant Karol Lawson, Independent Scholar and Consultant Thaddeus Papke, Assistant Producer, Public Programming at We The Curious Tamara Schlossenberg, Collections Manager |
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AASLH presents Activating Environmental Strength and Care and Museums and Historic Sites, a virtual summit on January 28-29. Attend to learn how museums can address environmental sustainability through exhibitions and interpretation and effectively communicate with the public on these issues. Sessions will also help museums prepare for and respond to disasters. Learn more and register. |
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Interested in presenting at the 37th Annual Visitor Studies Association Conference? The VSA 2025 Call for Session Proposals is open and accepting submissions through January 31, 2025. Learn about this year’s theme, Effective Advocacy through Visitor Studies, information on session formats and tracks, and how to submit a session proposal at this link: https://visitorstudies.org/call-for-session-proposals |
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Museums Advocacy Day 2025 provides a critical opportunity to make the case for museums early in what is sure to be a high-stakes year for museums. Join hundreds of museum advocates February 24-25 in Arlington, VA (new location) and Washington, DC, to hone your advocacy skills and meet with Congressional offices. Learn more. |
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Save the Date National Emerging Museum Professionals Network Museum Worker's Advocacy Day March 14-15, 2025 Join NEMPN's FREE virtual event to advocate for equitable industry changes under the theme Claiming Your Space. Learn more HERE. NEMPN's Book Club Returns! Discuss All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley on Zoom: January 27, 8 p.m. ET (Author's Note to Chapter 6) and February 24, at 8 p.m. ET (Chapters 7-13). RSVP HERE |
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