Multimedia Forum

Has your museum ever tried to engage audiences in controversial topics, moderate discussions about social movements, or introduce inclusive practices only to be stymied by your board or director? Does it feel impossible for your museum to be an advocate for social justice issues?

Transgender people are members of every community museums engage, from staff and volunteers to visitors and participants. How can your institution create a safe space for people of all genders? This panel discussion will include a brief overview of gender identity before diving into a conversation about successful engagement around the region. Learn from your colleagues, develop strategies to take home with you, and discover resources to shift your museum’s workplace culture.

This workshop, hosted at the Boise City Hall, was designed for museum professionals, beginners and old pros alike, who find themselves struggling to manage paper and photographic materials in their institutions. We encouraged open minds and open hearts to engage with us and each other as we journeyed through the dark passageways of the archival profession. There were two hands-on group projects: processing a manuscript collection and creating a digitization plan.

To deepen Idahoans’ connection to their state, build a statewide sense of community, and create an essential resource for education, the Idaho State Museum was designed for impact. ISHS connected Idaho’s past to the present; integrated Idaho’s cultural diversity throughout the visitor experience; and used a multidisciplinary approach to maximize historical literacy across subjects. This session explores engagement practices used to achieve statewide resonance, understand affective outcomes of the museum experience, and respond to community needs.

Does your museum need budget-friendly directions to improve its community engagement, address challenges with collections, strengthen its educational activities, align operations overall, or hone its governance for greater leadership potential? The Museum Assessment Program can give your museum the best route to reach your destination. Hear about the new and revised assessment options, as well as about the benefits, experience, and results of MAP from recent participants. Fuel up to apply for this IMLS-funded excellence program today.