Kudos Affiliates! Summer 2025 Edition
Kudos to these Affiliates on their recent accomplishments! Do you have kudos to share? Please send potential entries to Aaron Glavas, GlavasC@si.edu.
FUNDING
Durham Museum (Omaha, NE) was awarded a $4,000 grant from Humanities Nebraska to help support an exhibit of Aksarben gowns.
Conner Prairie (Fishers, IN)) was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation. The funding will redefine how visitors view and use the Museum Experience Center through immersive and interactive experiences. The project includes Wellspring, which combines artwork and a playscape; two permanent galleries; and a changing gallery.
Peoria Riverfront Museum (Peoria, IL) received a $200,000 digital accelerator grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, to complete a redesign and overhaul of the museum’s website.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Science Museum Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, OK) received the Mayor’s Award for its sustainability features, including grounds’ pollinator areas, composting program, water reuse system, recycling efforts and more. Oklahoma City Beautiful Distinguished Service Awards recognize businesses, organizations and individuals who have helped improve the beauty and environmental health of Oklahoma City.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (Dubuque, IA) has been granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot, published by the South Dakota State Historical Society (Pierre, SD), has won the prestigious 2025 Spur Award for Best Western Children’s Picture Book, presented by the Western Writers of America. The Western Writers of America annually presents the Spur Awards to recognize distinguished writing about the American West. Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot, written by Laura Beth Dean and illustrated by Jeanne Bowman, tells the true story of Georgia Hoyt Jipp and the courageous missions she flew to deliver aid during the historic winter storms of 1949.
LEADERSHIP
Ellen Noël Art Museum (Odessa, TX) named Nicole Herden as its new Executive Director. Herden is an accomplished museum executive with over 20 years of experience in leadership, curatorial practice, and institutional transformation.