MuseumNext opens highlighting the challenges ahead
MuseumNext has opened in New York with topics on redefining the role of museums, changing audiences and museums in schools.
The session on ‘Redefining the role of museums in a time of urgent need’ focused on how the public understands pressing issues, including the environment, human health, climate change, energy and bioterrorism.
The session covered the role of natural history museums in educating the public and helping people ‘connect the dots’ of complex natural phenomena.
Speaking at a session titled ‘Next narratives: changing audiences need new stories’, industry experts said museums have to continually develop to meet the needs of different audiences in a changing society.
Hunter O’Hanian, who is executive director, chief executive at the College Art Association in New York, told delegates at the conference that museums have had to address the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, as same-sex themes only represented 1-2% of museum portfolios.
He said: “We have to re-shift who we are as institutions to make everyone welcome. Our job is to represent the constituencies we serve.”
Also speaking at the session was Christy Coleman, American Civil War Museum chief executive, who oversaw the merger of the Museum of the Confederacy with the American Civil War Center in Richmond, Virginia in 2013.
She told in the audience: “History is not made in our institutions, it’s made on the ground in what is remembered and how. My job is difficult in changing the narrative: what happened; what we pass on; what we choose to remember and how that makes us feel. We can challenge and raise the bar to examine the narrative.
“How do we convince our communities to even take a second look? How do we challenge and change narrative? How do we begin to have these conversations?”
Also highlighted during the session was the importance of having a strategic plan.
Coleman said that merging two institutions initially caused anger. She said: “We can shoot for consensus or shoot for change. It’s problematic. We lost 40% of our membership over 18 months. Our numbers are coming back with new people who like what they are seeing. We do not need to be timid anymore.”
Also speaking during the session were Boon Hui Tan, vice president of Global Arts and cultural programmes director of the Asia Society Museum, Colin Weil, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun executive director, and Melissa Martens Yaverbaum, Council of American Jewish Museums executive director.
Hui Tan said: “We are living in times that are changing. We are a product of our times. There should be a time when the [museum] director commits hari-kari. Society is so diverse. Organisations need to last beyond us.”
Also during the first day was a session ‘Museums in schools – how one school is seeking to build a bridge for their community’. The goal is to turn a high school campus into a living museum.
The three-day event will also be covering topics that include personalising the visitor experience, working with veterans, and teens and technology.
A live stream is available at www.museumnext.com/events/north-american-museum-conference/livestream/
Museum New York MuseumNext conferenceMuseums, art and cyborgs on the agenda as speaker lineup revealed for MuseumNext NYC
MuseumNext heads to Melbourne in 2017
Experts tackle non-museums in the museum sector at MuseumNext
MuseumNext 2016: Is virtual reality for chickens the best way to ignite interest in science?
MuseumNext 2016: Use museums as a tool for social change, says National Museums Liverpool director
MuseumNext names Burning Man CEO Marian Goodell as keynote speaker
All-star lineup revealed for MuseumNext in Dublin
MuseumNext prepares to make North American debut in Indianapolis
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
BodyHoliday plans 10-15 locations in the next 15 years
Floating wellbeing destination planned for London’s Royal Docks
Aman Group to open second Janu in Dubai with inaugural Janu Club
