How Do We Prove the Value of Museums?

Keynote Speakers. Kicking off our discussion is opening keynote speaker, Marsha Semmel, IMLS Acting Director . What makes the 2011 conference different from previous years is the inclusion of several working conversations with facilitator Barbara J. Soren, Ph.D. Barbara will draw together the conversation threads in her closing keynote, helping us to develop a shared set of value indicators and methods for communicating them to your stakeholders and the public. This will be your opportunity to add substantively to the national discussion about the value of museums.

Discover Buffalo. Upon registering for the Museums in Conversation Conference, participants will receive a Museum Passport which will allow them free or reduced admission and other discounts at museums and other cultural institutions in and around the Buffalo region.  We encourage you to extend your stay to take advantage of this opportunity to visit the organizations of your peers and colleagues while also enjoying the art, history and culture of Western NY.

Video Competition. We've been inspired by videos we've seen recently from museums across New York State showing up on YouTube - we want to recognize their effort and encourage others to take advantage of this new media to spread the word about why your museum matters. We are running a contest for the most innovative 5 minute (or less) online video depicting the value of your museum. Awards will be given for most creative and most inspiring as well as an audience choice award. To submit an entry, please post your video on YouTube and send us the link!

Sponsorship Opportunities. Please accept this invitation to connect to and build relationships with New York's museums and historical organizations! We have identified several exceptional sponsorship opportunities to allow you to promote your organization to hundreds museum professionals. In return for your support, your organization will reach the largest network of museum professionals in New York State.

Archives Month is a great opportunity to raise awareness among key audiences of the value of archives and archivists and to engage local communities in exploring the heritage, culture and wealth of history we New Yorkers share.

Theft of historical documents plagues records repositories. With careful planning, awareness of warning signs and proactive security solutions, organizations can reduce the window of opportunity for historical record theft. Archival security expert Mimi Bowling will provide an interactive curriculum on archival security, preparing participants to take immediate action to strengthen their local security programs. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion. There is no cost to register. Read related article from New York Archives magazine.
 
Topics include risk awareness; insider theft; facility design and security technology; security of information systems; working with vendors and contractors; research room management and design; developing institutional security policies; procedures and post-theft response; additional topics as requested by participants.
 
Workshop Schedule
All workshops will run from 9:00am until 4:00pm

Hudson Valley, March 7, 2011, Metro NYC, March 28, 2011, Long Island, April 4, 2011, Capital Region, April 11, 2011, Northern NY,April 18, 2011 
 
To register, please email Bturner@mail.nysed.gov or call 518-473-0130. Early registration is encouraged and appreciated; only 25 seats available.
 
Workshops have been made possible by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the New York State Historical Records Advisory Board, and the New York State Archives.

Congratulations to our friends and colleagues at the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center on their grand opening! 

This house is not just one more dusty museum where you see how an important person lived.  It is a museum of conscience in community, where the vision of human freedom and democracy that fired Matilda Joslyn Gage 150 years ago speaks to the present and resonates into the future.  It is a dynamic place of civil engagement, where people come together to dialogue about issues like human trafficking, reproductive rights, religious freedom and native sovereignty.  Here the Underground Railroad, women's rights, treaty rights and the separation of church and state join Oz as we piece together the amazing fabric of the history Gage embodies so we can better plan for the future.
From www.matildajoslyngage.org

The Alice T. Miner Museum has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.




Kudos to the Adirondack Museum Libarary, recipients of the 2010 Annual Archives Award for Program Excellence in a Historical Records Repository," by the New York State Archives and the Archives Partnership Trust.

The award commends the library for an outstanding archival program that contributes significantly to the understanding of Adirondack history. The award further recognizes the facility for well-organized and managed archives and for efforts to provide access to documentary heritage through extensive collections and excellent education programs for teachers and school children.

Chemung Valley History Museum

Have you seen an exceptional exhibit at a New York institution this past year? Has your organization created an innovative educational program or publication? Would you like to recognize a volunteer or employee who has done exceptional work?
 
If so, we encourage you to submit a nomination for our 2010 Awards of Merit. Each year Museumwise presents Awards of Merit to recognize outstanding work in the regional history and museum community, reward staff and volunteers, and provide encouragement for development of new and innovative projects.
 
Awards of Merit program requests nominations in four categories:

• Preserving Our Past
• Interpreting Our Past
• The Public Dimension
• Individual Achievement

Nominations are accepted by mail only and must be postmarked by December 10, 2010. Please visit our website www.museumwise.org for information and a nomination form.

Questions? Please contact Stephanie Lehner, Program Coordinator, at 800.895.1648 or by email at stephanie@museumwise.org with any questions.

For simple instructions on how to join our Museumwise Members' Forum, please visit: www.museumwise.org

Registration opening soon for 4-week Mini-Courses
  Courses to begin in January 2011




Conservation & Preservation of Photographs and Albums

Curriculum taught by Gary Albright, Paper and Photograph Conservator
This course will first provide an overview of factors effecting the preservation and care of photographs. The various photographic processes will be reviewed and techniques for identifying each photographic process will be supplied. Appropriate handling and storage materials, as well as sources for supplies will be covered. The course will also address the issue of when the original format or album format can be maintained or when re-housing should be considered.

Basic Preservation, Care & Handling of Paper Based Materials
Curriculum taught by Michele Phillips, Conservator of Paper & Photographic Materials
This course will provide an introduction to the factors effecting the preservation and care of paper-based materials. Building on this knowledge, participants will then learn about appropriate techniques for handling and storing collection materials and recommended sources for supplies. Instruction in basic conservation techniques for surface cleaning and mending paper-based materials will be provided.

Climate Control for Small Institutions
Curriculum taught by Sarah Stevens, Textile Conservator
This course will allow participants to explore the issues that need to be considered when planning for climate controls including monitoring, testing, environmental analysis assessments, long-range planning, systems design, construction support, and operations training. Low cost-low tech solutions will be offered and discussed, providing participants with the background knowledge to assist them in making informed decisions that can be implemented at their own institutions.

Introduction to Reformatting
Curriculum taught by Toya Dubin, Vice President of Hudson Microimaging, Inc
This course will provide participants with current, essential information for those who are responsible for the management of paper-based, photographic, audio, and video collections that are seeking to create, manage, and preserve digital assets. Participants completing this course will be better equipped to make informed choices regarding management of their digital projects/programs.

Watch your inboxes for our registration announcement. For additional information please visit our website www.museumwise.org