coming up in affiliateland in november 2013

PUERTO RICO
Museo y Centro de Estudios Humanísticos hosts Budget Planning for Museums, a workshop led by Affiliations director, Harold Closter in Gurabo, 11.2.

TEXAS
SITES exhibition Ramp It Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America opens at the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio, 11.2.

SOUTH DAKOTA
As part of their ongoing Smithsonian Sunday series, the South Dakota State Historical Society will host a webcast from the National Air and Space Museum, 50 Years of Solar System Exploration: New Worlds, New Discoveries, in Pierre, 11.10.

PENNSYLVANIA
The National Museum of American Jewish History presents a lecture and book signing with Undersecretary Richard Kurin, author of The Smithsonian’s History of America in 101 Objects in Philadelphia, 11.12.

NEBRASKA
National Museum of Natural History curator, Hans Sues, will present a lecture at the University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History in Lincoln, 11.14.

WASHINGTON, DC
Affiliate directors will be among the attendees of the Latino Partnership Forum, organized by the Smithsonian Latino Center and Smithsonian Affiliations, at the Smithsonian, 11.4-11.6.

15 Affiliates shared educational materials which will be available to educators as part of a rescheduled Smithsonian Teachers Night, Washington DC, 11.15.

National Museum of American History curators Nancy Davis and Peter Liebhold will participate in a panel discussion, Show me the Money: Museum Conversations of Debt and Commerce, with the director of the Museum of American Finance, David Cowen, in Washington DC, 11.23.

 

Affiliates in the news- November 2013

Congrats to these Affiliates making news! Each month we highlight Affiliate-Smithsonian and Affiliate-Affiliate collaborations making headlines.  If you have a clipping highlighting a collaboration with the Smithsonian or with a fellow Affiliate you’d like to have considered for the Affiliate blog, please contact Elizabeth Bugbee.

Oklahoma History Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
Smithsonian grant funds living Asian-American project at Oklahoma History Center
The Oklahoma History Center is one of a handful of museums across the nation that received a grant from the Smithsonian Institution to educate middle school students about Asian-American history. The $2,500 grant helped start an oral history program titled “Young Historians, Living Histories” that will allow history center staff to teach students how to reach out to Asian-Americans, interview them on camera and submit the video to the Smithsonian website.

Ellen Noel Art Museum (Odessa, Texas)
Ellen Noel Museum launches 3-D printing studio
In 2005, George Jacob was the project director for a Smithsonian exhibit called “Ray Charles: The Genius.” “When I worked on that exhibit, that was the first time I had really given much thought to how the visually impaired learn about art,” Jacob said. “It made me realize that there is nothing really tactile to help teach the visually impaired.” Jacob is now the executive director of the Ellen Noel Art Museum in Odessa, and he hasn’t forgotten about the challenges facing those without sight. In fact, it’s the driving motivation behind the museum’s newest pieces of cutting edge equipment: 3-D printers.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody, Wyoming)
Mother of all Swiss Army knives,’ this 19th century multi-tool has it all, including a .22 revolver
Owned by the Smithsonian Institution and displayed at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Wyoming, this clever contraption would have made any cowboy the king of the corral.

Western Reserve Historical Society (Cleveland, Ohio)
AIHP- Oral History Project , Training in progress!!
Selected Students to work on the AIHP and WRHS – oral History Project with a grant from the Smithsonian

"Apollo 8 Coming Home" by Robert T. McCall is part of "Paintings of the Space Age" Smithsonian exhibit at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, FL on Wednesday October 9, 2013.

“Apollo 8 Coming Home” by Robert T. McCall is part of “Paintings of the Space Age” Smithsonian exhibit at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, FL on Wednesday October 9, 2013.

Polk Museum of Art (Lakeland, Fla.)
Polk Museum Showcases Paintings from Smithsonian
A partnership between the Polk Museum of Art and the Smithsonian is bringing back the thrill of the United States’ unprecedented early space exploration through “Paintings of the Space Age,” on exhibit through Dec. 7 in the museum’s Dorothy Jenkins Gallery. The exhibition’s opening coincides with NASA’s 55th anniversary occurring this month.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody, WY), High Museum of Art (Atlanta, GA), Booth Western Art Museum (Cartersville, GA)
From Wyoming to Cartersville: ‘Today’s West!’ exhibit kicks off during Southeastern Cowboy Festival & Symposium
“To help bolster its audience during the winter months, the Buffalo Bill Center’s Western art collection is traveling east. Split between a pair of concurrently running exhibitions at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and Cartersville’s Booth Western Art Museum, the Wyoming museum’s artwork will enable patrons to view the development and progression of this artistic field. . For those seeking a more immersive study of “Today’s West!” four art lectures will be centered on the exhibit and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Friday in the Booth Theatre: . “Advance Work: Art and Advertising in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” by Michelle Anne Delaney, director of the Smithsonian Institution’s Consortium for Understanding the American Experience…”

Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman, MT)
My T. Rex Is Bigger Than Yours
National Fossil Day, an annual celebration of all things fossil, has come around again. But not everyone is jubilant. As the government shutdown ticks on–with debate fossilized, you might say–a mighty Cretaceous carnivore has been left in limbo on the day it was supposed to be acclaimed. There is no joy in Washington, D.C., for mighty T. rex has struck out. The dinosaur in question, fondly known as the Wankel rex, was due to arrive today, shipped off from the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, for a ceremonial greeting at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. That warm welcome is delayed until the spring.

new smithsonian affiliate membership benefits for 2014

As we approach the end of 2013 and develop plans for new initiatives in the New Year, we would like to introduce some new benefits for your Smithsonian Affiliate members through the Smithsonian Affiliate Membership Program.

Smithsonian in Your In Box
In the past few months, Smithsonian Affiliations has been working to identify additional resources for your Smithsonian members that will be provided directly to members by email.

We all know that the easiest way to reach our audiences with information is where they spend the most time – in their inboxes.

magapp2aiPad app, travel opportunities and more
We have developed a balanced menu of engaging Smithsonian communications that will be of special interest for Smithsonian members.

They include newsletters, travel journals, weekend magazine issues from Smithsonian magazine and a downloadable iPad app for subscribers to get online access to the publication from their phones and tablets.

More Renewals – New Members
By creating more touch-points the new communications aim to bring members more value and access to the Smithsonian, generating higher renewals and new memberships at your museums and organizations.

We will be in touch directly with more detailed information about the email program, a planned Smithsonian membership drive and a new website for online member and subscription submissions.

We always welcome feedback and new ideas!

For more information please contact Christina DiMeglio Lopez 

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2014 Visiting Professionals Program

One of the exclusive benefits of being a Smithsonian Affiliate is the opportunity to apply for the Affiliations Visiting Professionals Program. Accepted Affiliate staff members get a program tailored to their project needs which can lead to new collaborations, new loans, new professional skills and endless networking opportunities. But don’t just listen to us. Here’s what your fellow Affiliate colleagues have to say:

Forensic Anthropology Lab

Jessica Crossman in the Forensic Anthropology Lab at the National Museum of Natural History.

 

I truly wish everyone at my institution had the chance to do this kind of program, which was eye-opening in so many ways. I know I will continue to maintain many of the relationships formed during my program and am grateful for the opportunity.” – Sarah Rooney, Community Programs Manager, Senator John Heinz History Center, 2013 Visiting Professional.

Through these wonderful learning experiences I met some truly talent and kind people that I hope to keep in touch with.  And of course this trip provided the Museum of Man some new ideas for our hands-on exhibit space.  I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally through this wonderful opportunity.“– Jessica Crossman, Experiential Learning Department Program Coordinator, San Diego Museum of Man, 2013 Visiting Professional.

2009 Visiting Professional, Wayne Coleman from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in the Archives of American History.

2009 Visiting Professional, Wayne Coleman from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in the Archives of American History.

My Smithsonian colleagues were inviting, open, and encouraging. Their work is inspiring and has given me many ideas! I look forward to sharing what I learned with my colleagues and trying out some of the Smithsonian approaches.”– Lisa Falk, Director of Education, Arizona State Museum, 2010 Visiting Professional.

My experience was extremely valuable. The knowledge that I gained at the Smithsonian and that I am now sharing with co-workers has definitely been beneficial to our work.“– Katey Ahmann, Coordinator of Exhibit Hall Programs, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, 2009 Visiting Professional.

Application Guidelines:

  • Apply online! Candidates apply directly through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).
  • Visiting Professionals receive a stipend. Selected applicants will receive a $350 stipend per week (not to exceed $700) to help with expenses.
  • Applicants must be full-time staff members at an Affiliate organization.
  • Click here for full application requirements and to apply online.

Questions? Contact Elizabeth Bugbee, 202.633.5304.

new! Civil War booksigning opportunity

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One-of-a-kind artifacts from 12 Smithsonian museums tell unique stories of the Civil War

Smithsonian Books and Smithsonian Affiliations are teaming up to offer Smithsonian Affiliates a special lecture program and book signing event opportunity with the some of the authors (subject to availability) of Smithsonian Civil War: Inside the National Collection. It is a truly unique narrative crafted around one-of-a kind, famous, and previously unseen Civil War relics handpicked from twelve Smithsonian museums and archives. Through spellbinding narrative and stunning visuals, 550 treasures transform from objects into potent reminders of this devastating period in American history. Illuminating the full scope of the political, military, social, and cultural climate of the era, Smithsonian Civil War is history as only the Smithsonian can tell it.

Event Details:
Host museum agrees to cover lodging, travel, and meals for Smithsonian curator(s).
– Autographs are only allowed for copies of Smithsonian Civil War: Inside the National Collection purchased at the event.
– Smithsonian staff will work with Affiliates to identify available speakers on a broad range of topics, and will provide a suggested outline if desired.
– Smithsonian Curators agree to do local/regional media to promote event.
– The sale date is October 29, 2013, so events should be scheduled thereafter.

Please call your National Outreach Manager for more information.

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november 2013 Affiliate kudos

Even though the weather is getting chilly, Affiliate accomplishments continue to shine!!

Funding

The Illinois Arts Council Agency recently awarded Peoria Riverfront Museum (Peoria, IL) a grant of $20,600 from state funds. The grant will be used specifically for general operating support of the museum. In addition, Peoria Riverfront Museum received a $2000 grant from Target. The award will be used for a brand new educational kit involving Bee Bots, a new robot designed for use by young children.

The Burton D. Morgan Foundation has awarded $407,000 to the Western Reserve Historical Society (Cleveland, OH) to support a three-year youth entrepreneurship program for students in grades 4-6 in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

The Long Island Museum (Stony Brook, NY) announced that its Long Island Long Ago school program was awarded a grant from Target Corporation. The grant will help the museum reach more than 12,000 Long Island school children annually, including those from underserved communities. Long Island Long Ago encourages students to explore farm life in the mid-nineteenth century through historic tools, paintings and dance.

RFL

Making flags for military use in the quartermaster corps depot, Philadelphia, Penn, 1942. Photograph courtesy of Library of Congress. LC-USZ62-95525. Photographer: Howard Liberman.

The State of Maryland has granted $128,000 to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum (Baltimore, MD) as part of its continuing support of programs and events commemorating the War of 1812.  The Museum will use the funds toward the presentation of a new exhibition entitled For Whom It Stands: The Flag and the American People.

Awards

Mr. Courtney Wilson, Director of the B & O Railroad Museum, was honored with the 2013 Katherine Coffey Award at the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums conference.  The award is given each year to recognize distinguished achievement in the museum field.