2011 Affiliations National Conference by Smithsonian Affiliations

Smithsonian Affiliations National Conference

June 13-15, 2011

Director’s Welcome

elcome to the 2011 Smithsonian Affiliations National Conference. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Affiliations program, a milestone that encourages us to both reflect on accomplishments and plan for the future. In establishing the Affiliations program the leadership of the Smithsonian embraced the recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Future of the Smithsonian Institution (1995) which called for: “the formation of partnerships with existing or emerging museums throughout the country that could make the Institution more reflective of our nation [and] would also address the problem of storing, curating, studying, and exhibiting the constantly growing collection.” In fifteen years we have made strong progress towards fulfilling this vision through the loan of more than 8,000 Smithsonian artifacts, artworks, and specimens; nearly 500 traveling exhibits; and hundreds of scholarly presentations, book talks, performances, and education programs and workshops. Affiliates in turn have demonstrated true partnership not only by welcoming the Smithsonian into their communities, but also by sending major exhibitions to our museums, opening doors for town hall meetings, participating in joint research and collecting projects, conserving and restoring Smithsonian objects, and providing curatorial expertise. Our two-way partnerships have now grown into a vast network of support and collaboration essential to the challenges that lie ahead. We believe that museums are well situated to make major contributions to teaching and education at all levels by extending the knowledge gained through our experience with informal learning. We also expect that museums will be called on more frequently to help their communities understand the rapid changes taking place around them – climate change, the loss of biodiversity, the disappearance of traditional cultures, and the explosion of new technologies, among them. Our conference promises to engage these topics and challenge all of us to imagine ways in which we can turn the unique strengths of our organizations into combined efforts that will have lasting impact. We are pleased that you have made the journey with us through these first fifteen years, and look forward to many more years together. Thank you for joining us. Harold A. Closter Director Smithsonian Affiliations

Program at a Glance Monday, June 13

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pre-scheduled meetings with Smithsonian staff 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Smithsonian Castle, 3rd Floor, Rotunda Registration 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Smithsonian Castle, 3rd Floor, Library Orientation for new and returning Affiliates 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Smithsonian Castle Commons, 1st Floor Welcome Reception

Tuesday, June 14

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center Conference Registration 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center Welcome Breakfast 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Lecture Hall, S. Dillon Ripley Center Keynote Address: Claudine Brown, Assistant Secretary for Education and Access, Smithsonian Institution 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center What’s the Big Idea?: Revitalizing Education Through Partnership and Collaboration 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concourse, S. Dillon Ripley Center Smithsonian Resource Fair 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Room 3113, S. Dillon Ripley Center An Introduction to “The Immigration Initiative: Exploring and Presenting America’s Cultural History of Migration and Immigration” 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Room 3037, S. Dillon Ripley Center Building and Increasing Membership: A Museum-Wide Approach 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Room 3031, S. Dillon Ripley Center You CAN Take It With You: A Practical Look At All Things Mobile

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Room 3035, S. Dillon Ripley Center Success With Science: New Approaches for New Audiences 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center Not Your Ordinary Classroom: Reaching Students Using Documents and Works of Art as Primary Resources 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. International Gallery, S. Dillon Ripley Center Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Warriors: A Photographic History by Gertrude Käsebier 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. S. Dillon Ripley Center Affiliate Happy Hour

Wednesday, June 15 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Mitsitam Café, National Museum of the American Indian An Interactive Breakfast: Using Food as an Extension of Your Mission 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. National Museum of the American Indian Shuttle / walk to museum locations 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Loan Conversations: Meet the People and Master the Process 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch on your own 1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. S. Dillon Ripley Center Board buses to Anacostia Community Museum (Meet in front of the Ripley Center) 1:30 p.m. –3:30 p.m. Anacostia Community Museum Road Trip: Anacostia Community Museum – the Smithsonian East of the River 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Free time on your own 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Bus transportation from L’Enfant Plaza Hotel to Congressional Reception 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. B-339 Rayburn House Office Building Smithsonian Affiliations Congressional Reception

2011 Smithsonian Affiliations National Conference Monday, June 13

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pre-scheduled meetings with Smithsonian staff 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Smithsonian Castle, 3rd Floor, Rotunda (Enter from the National Mall) Registration 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Smithsonian Castle, 3rd Floor, Library (Enter from the National Mall) Orientation for New & Existing Affiliates Discover the Smithsonian and learn about the benefits and resources available to you as a Smithsonian Affiliate.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Smithsonian Castle Commons, 1st Floor Welcome Reception

Agenda

Tuesday, June 14

10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center What’s the Big Idea?: Revitalizing Education Through Partnership and Collaboration Affiliates will join Smithsonian educators in a series of discussions about reaching into the local community with innovative education programs and potential areas of collaboration.

Roundtable 1: Education Technology Michelle Smith, Director, Publications and Digital Media, Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies Chris Wilson, Director, Program in African American Culture, National Museum of American History Sally Otis, Videoconference Coordinator, Smithsonian American Art Museum Panelists will share ideas about distance learning, gaming, videoconferencing, and webinarsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all technology-rich initiatives used to deliver programming. Roundtable 2: Dedicated Spaces Judy Gradwohl, Associate Director for Public Programs, National Museum of American History Tricia Edwards, Education Specialist, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation Shari Werb, Director of Education and Outreach, National Museum of Natural History Discussion will include opportunities for education and outreach modeled on specific learning centers at the Smithsonian and Affiliate sites. Roundtable 3: In Your Backyard Rusty Russell, Collections Manager, Botany, National Museum of Natural History Bill McShea, Research Wildlife Biologist, National Zoological Park Erin Blasco, Museum Program Specialist, National Postal Museum Allison Wickens, Director of Education, National Postal Museum Citizen science projects are successful approaches for engaging local communities. Two citizen science initiatives and a history program will offer potential ideas for Affiliates to partner and replicate in your own neighborhoods. Roundtable 4: Early Childhood Education Betsy Bowers, Deputy Director for Outreach, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center Ann Caspari, Early Childhood Education Specialist, National Air and Space Museum Smithsonian experts in early childhood development brainstorm ways of reaching the youngest audiences. Transform your museum into a friendly space for infants and toddlers, caregivers, and teachers. Roundtable 5: You + Your Schools + Smithsonian Sally Goetz Shuler, Executive Director, National Science Resource Center Clare Cuddy, Education Manager, National Museum of the American Indian Wally Mertes, Program Coordinator, The Smithsonian Associates How can Affiliates and Smithsonian educators partner to make a greater impact at the local level? Share strategies and resources to change the face of education in America.

11:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Concourse, S. Dillon Ripley Center Smithsonian Resource Fair

Meet representatives from the following Smithsonian museums, programs, and offices: National Air and Space Museum National Museum of African Art National Museum of American History National Museum of the American Indian National Postal Museum National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian American Art Museum National Portrait Gallery Office of Exhibits Central Smithsonian Institution Libraries Smithsonian Books Smithsonian Accessibility Program Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

Smithsonian Latino Center The Smithsonian Associates Smithsonian Folkways Recordings Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies Office of Sponsored Projects Office of Protection Services Smithsonian Journeys Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center American Association of Museums

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Room 3113, S. Dillon Ripley Center An Introduction to “The Immigration Initiative: Exploring and Presenting America’s Cultural History of Migration and Immigration” Fath Davis Ruffins, Curator of African American History and Culture, National Museum of American History “Melting pot,” “nation of nations,” “salad bowl,” these are just a few of the metaphors used to describe the complexity and diversity of the peoples making up this nation. Learn how the Smithsonian is launching a major initiative to explore the complexities of the immigrant/migrant experience and how your Affiliate organization can participate through collections, exhibitions, and programs for youth and families.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (Concurrent Sessions) Room 3037, S. Dillon Ripley Center Building and Increasing Membership: A Museum-Wide Approach Christina Di Meglio Lopez, Business & External Affairs Manager, Smithsonian Affiliations Meg Colafella, Director of Membership, Senator John Heinz History Center Join a strategy session for increasing membership and revenue by involving all parts of the museum. Working with museum educators, programmers, and curators, creative marketing can bolster any membership program. Position your membership as a base for support that expands well beyond your special events and exhibit galleries.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Room, 3031, S. Dillon Ripley Center You CAN Take It With You: A Practical Look At All Things Mobile Nancy Proctor, Head of Mobile Strategy & Initiatives, Smithsonian Institution Extend educational experiences at your organization through mobile platforms. While most museums feel they need a mobile presence, many are unsure how to forge ahead and connect with their visitors through new technologies. This session will give you a quick overview with examples of mobile initiatives that have been launched across the Smithsonian. Bring your own apps and share your experiences, challenges, and triumphs during this informative session.

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Concurrent Sessions) Room 3035, S. Dillon Ripley Center Success with Science: New Approaches for New Audiences Tricia Edwards, Education Specialist, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, National Museum of American History Judy Brown, Senior Vice President, Programs, Miami Science Museum The Miami Science Museum and the Spark!Lab at the National Museum of American History are changing the ways museums think about promoting science education and meeting the challenge of introducing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) principles to new audiences. Using innovative and research-based approaches such as the GirlsRISE program and Spark!Lab Outreach Kits Project, learn how these two organizations are transforming exhibition planning and museum education practices.

Tortilla Soup and Three Sister Salad Three Sisters Salad from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian’s cookbook, “The Mitsitam Cafe Cookbook,” authored by Mitsitam Cafe Executive Chef Richard Hetzler.

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Discovery Theater, S. Dillon Ripley Center Not Your Ordinary Classroom: Reaching Students Using Documents and Works of Art as Primary Sources Elizabeth K. Eder, Assistant Chair, National Education Partnerships, Smithsonian American Art Museum Lee Ann Potter, Director of Education and Volunteer Programs, National Archives and Records Administration Based on a model developed by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Archives and Records Administration, learn how you can energize teacher training programs in your community by integrating visual imagery and primary sources as powerful teaching tools. Help visitors and students gain greater insights by linking history and art in a common framework.

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. International Gallery, S. Dillon Ripley Center Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Warriors: A Photographic History by Gertrude Käsebier Michelle Delaney, Director, Consortium for Understanding the American Experience, Smithsonian Institution Special presentation and exhibition tour of this multi-layered collaboration between the Buffalo Bill Historical Center (Affiliate) and the National Museum of American History.

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. S. Dillon Ripley Center Affiliate Happy Hour Network, relax, and enjoy refreshments after viewing Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Warriors.

Wednesday, June 15

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Mitsitam Café, National Museum of the American Indian An Interactive Breakfast: Using Food as an Extension of Your Mission Richard Hetzler, Executive Chef, National Museum of the American Indian There’s more to museums than objects. Use foodways as an interpretive tool to amplify your museum’s message in unusual and memorable ways. Affiliates are invited to discuss their application of regional and local food customs.

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Meet your guide for loan conversations at Smithsonian museums

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Smithsonian Loan Conversations: Meet the People and Master the Process How do Smithsonian museums decide to loan artifacts, artworks and scientific specimens? What’s the best way for an Affiliate to develop a loan request? How long does it take and how much does it cost? Meet the people behind the process, explore scenarios for loan success, and see how loans make it from storage areas to the loading dock. Select one of four sessions geared to your interests: National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African Art, National Air and Space Museum

11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch on your own 1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Meet outside Ripley Center to board buses 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Road Trip: Anacostia Community Museum – the Smithsonian East of the River Sharon Reinckens, Deputy Director, Anacostia Community Museum Alcione Amos, Museum Program Specialist, Anacostia Community Museum Robert Hall, Associate Director for Education, Anacostia Community Museum Gail Lowe, Senior Historian Portia James, Supervisory Museum Curator Word,Shout,Song: Dr. Turner with tape recorder

Lorenzo Dow Turner Papers, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Opened in 1967, the Anacostia Community Museum revolutionized the way museums relate to their communities. Enjoy a brief, narrated bus tour through Washington’s historic and developing neighborhoods, followed by a curator-led tour of the pioneering exhibition Word, Shout, Song: Lorenzo Dow Turner, Connecting Communities through Language. Follow-up discussions will focus on contemporary topics of museum work at the community level, including the new National Urban Waterways Project, a project with relevance for all Affiliates.

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Bus transportation to L’Enfant Plaza Hotel 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Free time on your own 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Bus transportation from L’Enfant Plaza Hotel to Congressional Reception. Meet driver outside main hotel entrance. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. B-339 Rayburn House Office Building Congressional Reception Hors d’oeuvres and buffet Official Greetings G. Wayne Clough, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution The Honorable Sam Johnson (TX- 3rd) Presentation of 2011 Visiting Professionals and Intern Partnership Awards Harold A. Closter, Director, Smithsonian Affiliations

Smithsonian Souvenir Merchandise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; exclusively for Smithsonian Affiliates

Smithsonian Cobalt Blue mug 11 oz.............................................$4.50 each Smithsonian Sunburst Mug 16 oz.................................................$5.75 each Smithsonian Sunburst logo spinner keychain................................$2.65 each Smithsonian Castle magnet...........................................................$1.95 each Smithsonian Affiliations Sunburst lapel pin...................................$2.50 each Smithsonian souvenir spinner spoon.............................................$3.00 each Smithsonian Lanyard....................................................................$3.50 each To order official Smithsonian souvenir merchandise, email Christina Di Meglio Lopez, dimeglioc@si.edu.