Musings

Members of the Museum Studies Program faculty, staff, alums and current students were among the 5000 attendees at AAM’s annual meeting in Minneapolis earlier this month. Thanks to GW Alumni Programs and CCAS for helping us to host a well-attended reception Monday night. It followed the Marketplace of Ideas where we entertained questions about the program and Megan Mulkerin and Samantha Bass presented papers (Dixie Clough did the same on the last day of the conference). It was a good conference with many excellent sessions. Martha Morris, Laura Schiavo and Kym Rice were all on panels (as were many of our alums). Jacqueline Emerick helped us at both the Marketplace and the Reception. Zhuoran Shi and Megan received fellowships from NAME and COMPT to attend the conference. Some of us were able to visit local museums. The Minneapolis Museum of Art featured some dazzling collections while the Minnesota History Center showcased innovative design and interpretive ideas.

 

The GW Museum Studies Program had the honor of hosting the2012 Marie Malaro Award for Excellence in Research and Writing Symposia on April 13, 2012. Samantha Bass, Dixie Clough, and Meghan Mulkerin presented their award-winning papers at the Symposia. Samantha Bass’s “Exhibiting the Sacred,” focused on the proper way of handling and displaying sacred objects in museums. Dixie Clough’s “People Follow People: the Key to a Successful YouTube Strategy for Museums” provided recommendations on how museums today can utilize YouTube to their advantage in many different aspects. Meghan Mulkerin’s “Says Who? Objects and Attribution in Museum Records” demonstrated how inaccurate information can be found in museum records and offered suggestions to rectify the problem. After the student winners presented, the audience heard from Alex Nyerges, Director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, on “Should Museums Exist?” Mr. Nyerges is a 1982 alumnus of the Museum Studies Program. He spoke on the change over time in the purpose of museums from “collecting, preserving, and exhibiting” to a more resolute focus today on the audience. His riveting discussion touched on the importance of accessibility, relevance, and fun in museums and how the next generation of museum professionals needs to focus on continuing to develop these traits in museums. Overall, the Symposia was a wonderful outlet for learning about new and exciting develops in the museum world and a fantastic way of honoring the 2012 Marie Malaro Award Winners!

Alex Nyerges, Director, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Kym Rice, Director, MSTD, Samantha Bass, Meghan Mulkerin, Dixie Clough

Recently we witnessed the historic groundbreaking of the National Museum of African American History and Culture …the newest Smithsonian museum on the Mall. We learned that this project has been a dream for over 100 years. It promises to be a wonderful new museum full of meaning and important artifacts in an intriguing new building at the foot of the Washington monument. In early March the 8th Annual Building Museums™ conference was held in Philadelphia. There the stories of many museums were shared in presentations by museum directors, board members, architects, engineers, exhibition designers, registrars, conservators, educators, and curators…evidence that these projects are truly a team creation. We were hosted by the National Museum of American Jewish History, the National Constitution Center and the University of Pennsylvania museum. Over 200 people attended the conference. Featured projects included the newly opened Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City, the new Barnes Foundation museum opening in May 2012, and 18 other projects. Each building project was the result of years of planning, leadership vision, staff support, and community partnership. In keeping with our desire to highlight best practices a Buildy Award was given to The Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh in recognition of superior green building practices. Finally, a highlight of this conference was the preview of a new study recently completed that examines the success and failure of arts building in the US over the past decade. This study completed by the University of Chicago looked at key factors such as leadership, community support, and sustainable models. Clearly in this age of museum building seeking best practices is more important than ever.

On March 24 MSTD students enjoyed a session on tips for getting a job after graduation.  Recent alums Shay Henrion (National Museum of American History collections documentation contractor), Kara Hershorin (Research Asst at Institute for Learning Innovation) and Stephanie Shapiro, Administrative assistant in the Office of Advancement at SI) shared their stories of landing that first job.  All stressed the importance of internships and networking.  And each noted that persistence and patience will pay off. Despite a slow process of seeking jobs and landing interviews, our students have great credentials. Our surveys show that most find a job within the first 6 months after graduation.  Being willing to look in different areas of the country is critical.   The session included a presentation by Christy McDonald of GW’’s Career Center.  They offer helpful webinars, resume writing and interviewing workshops, and tips about using social networking tools.Get your profile on Linked In!  Christy, Shay, Kara, and Stephanie are all happy to provide help to students seeking employment.  GW alumni are available as networking consultants and MSTD has a listing of alums and their current jobs.  And remember the economy is starting to pick up.

-Martha Morris

Since last summer, I have had the amazing privilege of interning at Ford’s Theatre as they prepared to open up their new Center for Education and Leadership.  The Center – which is across the street from the theatre – includes three floors of exhibition space and completes the story of Abraham Lincoln’s funeral, the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth, and the lasting legacy of our 16th president.  The Center will open permanently to the public on February 21st, one day after a special public open house that includes various talks and events.

I was specifically tasked with helping create an exhibition on Lincoln’s timeless leadership style.  Under the wonderful and invaluable guidance of Tracey Avant, Ford’s Theatre’s Curator of Exhibitions and a GWU MSTD alum, I helped create the content from the ground up.  We saw our work come to life last Wednesday – when Ford’s held their VIP open house and their ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Center.  It was such a cool feeling to be part of something so special, and I can never thank Tracey and Ford’s Theatre enough for the wonderful opportunity!

-Chris Brusatte, GW MSTD Student

Find more information on the opening of the Center for Education and Leadership at Ford’s Theatre here!

As you may be aware, the Museum Studies Program has recently relocated to an off-campus office suite located at 13^th and G Street, NW.  Although daunting and time consuming, this move has been successfully completed in time for the beginning of the Spring 2012 semester!

The move satisfied The George Washington University’s effort to stay under the DC government-imposed student population cap. Since Museum Studies is a graduate only program and does not teach undergraduate students, the majority of whom live on or near main campus, GW decided to move us. We are closer now to our Smithsonian classes and the DC museum community. It is about a 15-minute walk from campus, near a Metro Center exit.

The new space includes a large classroom seating approximately fifty students, a small classroom/conference room seating around twenty-five students, a computer lab, a student lounge, a pantry, a copy room, and eleven offices. The classrooms have state of the art technology. For more information on the move, please read Cory Weinberg’s “Museum Studies’ move off Foggy Bottom helps satisfy enrollment restrictions,” in the GW Hatchet!

An Open House will be held in the new offices in February for students, alums and GW colleagues.

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[i] Cory Weinberg, “Museum Studies’ move off Foggy Bottom helps satisfy enrollment restrictions,” The GW Hatchet (2012) accessed January 24, 2012, http://www.gwhatchet.com/2012/01/23/museum-studies-move-off-foggy-bottom-helps-satisfy-enrollment-restrictions/.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture accepted two authentic Ku Klux Klan robes on Monday. In the past, displaying artifacts from historical perpetrators has been considered ethically questionable, but Sandra Parks, donor of the robes and widow of activist Stetson Kennedy, explains “the purpose of the gift was to show the world the absurdity of an American terrorist organization from the inside…[and that] more Americans will come to understand the significance and the bravery of the people who fought against this powerful and destructive organization.”[1] Stetson Kennedy actually acquired one of the robes after infiltrating the Klan and rising though its security forces ranks. Through focusing on the activists who fought against the klan, instead of the klan itself, the artifacts might be more readily accepted and less controversial. Lonnie Bunch, the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, says that “in some ways you can’t understand the African American experience until you understand the depth of the struggle,” which can be shown through the klan’s robes.[2]

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[1] Trescott, Jacqueline “Smithsonian accepts Klan robes for future museum.” Washington Post (2011). Accessed November 29, 2011, http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/smithsonian-accepts-klan-robes-for-future-museum/2011/11/28/gIQAyVu15N_blog.html. Photo courtesy of this source -  By: Michael R. Barnes / Smithsonian Institution – NMAAHC

[2] Trescott, Jacqueline “Smithsonian accepts Klan robes for future museum.”

The conference “Playing to the Galleries and Engaging New Audiences: The Public Face of Conservation” took place between November 14th and 16th in Williamsburg, Virginia.  The scheduled presentations all focused on the growing emphasis on public outreach in the field of conservation, describing the opportunities and difficulties that conservators can encounter when working with the public.  The presenters, however, did not solely consist of professionals from the field of conservation, but also included teachers, museum educators, and graduate students.  The presentations themselves addressed a range of topics, including a description of a partnership between the Lunder Conservation Center and a local high school, as well as a talk about the making of an educational video about conservation by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Professor Mary Coughlin and Museum Studies graduate student Lauren Andersen co-presented in the afternoon about a directed research class that took place in Julia Child’s kitchen at the National Museum of American History (NMAH).  In spring 2011, a class of five GW students, led by Professor Coughlin, collaborated with a team of Smithsonian staff to assess the objects in Julia Child’s kitchen.  The conference presentation focused on the public outreach in the class, including the experiences of students in the kitchen as well as students’ efforts to communicate their findings to the public. Most of the students’ efforts to work with the public, in fact, were put into writing entries for the NMAH blog O Say Can You See, and the conference presentation addressed the students’ blog topics and experiences writing their respective entries.  Professor Coughlin also described how Julia Child’s kitchen was installed at the Smithsonian, and then recounted issues that the students found while assessing the objects. In addition, she assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the unique structure of the class. Following Professor Coughlin’s description, Lauren concluded the presentation by talking about her experiences as a student in the class.  This presentation, as well as the conference as a whole, brought up important issues that conservators have encountered and will continue to discuss as public outreach becomes increasingly important in the field of conservation.

Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett recently spoke at the George Washington University on “The Elusive Object: The Role of Things in  a Digital Age.” By focusing on three different projects, she was able to present the idea that objects can still be useful relationally in the museum world, even if they lack a sense of “authentic” materiality. First looking at the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland, where Professor Kirshenblatt-Gimblett is overseeing the creation of the permanent exhibition, she talked about how the recreation of “actualities,” due to the lack of ancient original objects, like the wooden podium that would have resided in a wooden synagogue, can provide visitors with an interactive experience that would not have been accessible if the museum were to only  display the original object. The Museum of Broken Relationships, a definite crowd-pleaser, allowed Kirshenblatt-Gimblett to depict the relational nature of objects through the display of everyday items that are given value due to their connection with a failed relationship (which was stated as a narrative in an attached label). Lastly, Kirshenblatt-Gimblett looked to the Anne Frank Tree, the 180 year old chestnut tree that stood outside of the apartment where Anne Frank and her family went into hiding , and which she referenced in her diary multiple times. Kirshenblatt-Gimblett shows the relational connection between Anne Frank herself, and this tree, in the eyes of the public, as if the tree were a proxy to Anne.

Throughout all of her examples, Kirshenblatt-Gimblett discussed the advances that can be made due to digital media. The ability to create a truly interactive table which not only displays old and incredibly rare, coins, but provides visitors with the opportunity to create their own. Also, the capability of using online media to get public responses on topics of community interest, like what to do with the Anne Frank Tree and how to properly memorialize it. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett believes that the age of digital media makes physical things more compelling. She does not see technological advances as a hindrance to museum practice, but as an aid in providing a more captivating experience for museum visitors.

The Museum Studies Program of The George Washington University invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure track, renewable three-year contract position at the rank of assistant professor beginning fall 2012.  This well-established program seeks a specialist in museum technology, with an academic background in American Studies, Art History, Anthropology, Media Studies, Digital Media, Environmental Design, Digital Arts, or a related humanities discipline.  We are looking for individuals who have thorough knowledge of the conceptualization of digital learning experiences for museums, including social networking and mobile technologies.  Responsibilities include teaching graduate-level classes in museums and technology for the program that will integrate national policies and new trends, developing new courses when applicable, and advising graduate students on classes and internships.  Participation in departmental, college and university life, and interaction with the museum community of Washington, D.C. are expected.  The ideal candidate will combine scholarship and practice and be an excellent communicator and teacher.

Basic Qualifications: MA in a humanities discipline; teaching experience; record of published, refereed scholarship; minimum of 3 years museum experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree; College-level teaching experience; an academic background in one of the following humanities disciplines: American Studies, Art History, Anthropology, Media Studies, Digital Media, Environmental Design, or Digital Art; 5 years museum experience; demonstrable track record in current research and best practices in conceptualizing multiple types of digital media related to museums; familiarity with national policies and trends; involvement with national museum organizations, such as a standing professional committee of American Associations of Museums, resulting in conference presentation or workshops.

How to apply: Send a cover letter with statement of professional experience, curriculum vitae, course syllabi or statement of teaching philosophy, sample of scholarly publications or other professional products, and three current letters of reference to Chair, Search Committee, Museum Studies Program, 2147 F Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20052.

Review of applications will begin on January 30, 2012, and continue until the position is filled.  Only complete applications will be considered.  Selected candidates will be asked to visit the campus and deliver a lecture to faculty and students.  Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.  The George Washington University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.