Ventana Room

Learning Format: Active Learning

Share a mean tweet, online review, visitor comment card, performance appraisal, museum secret or wish and then drop it into the fire and let it burn!. The cleansing flames will burn away the negativity and like phoenixes (or in this case down the road from Phoenix) we will all rise from the ashes and fly into the future full of positivity and optimism!

To better appreciate the natural landscape of Tucson, Arizona, and to demonstrate best practices in outdoor education, we will be hosting an educational ethnobotanical nature hike followed by a plant-pollinator art activity. This activity will highlight the combined knowledges of the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Barona Cultural Center & Museum, and the New Children’s Museum. This activity is for those who teach children and adults about nature or are interested in learning more themselves

Learning Format: Conversation

This session will introduce a brainstorming approach that is inclusive and collaborative. It’s called 10 x 10. It’s a fast and easy approach to brainstorming as a group. After an overview of the 10 x 10, we’ll take the conference theme to brainstorm as a group. Examples include: How might we build capacity for ourselves? How might we build capacity for our institutions? How might we balance our passion for museum work with our capacity?

Learning Format: Active Learning

Mindfulness in museums is a timely topic–from meditation programming to cultivating connections among audiences, to writing and artmaking activities, there are many opportunities for museums to provide meaningful programs that support wellness and balance for their audiences and staff. Join educators with over fifteen years’ experience for a participatory session that will include activities such as slow looking, artmaking, deep discussion, and handouts.

Learning Format: 

An important part of finding balance is taking opportunities to, as the saying goes, slow down and smell the roses. Let’s explore the hotel’s nature trails with activities designed to get us up close with the wonders of nature.  Close observation and nature play are fundamental aspects of human development, and using the outdoors as context for learning is a powerful way to engage visitors and staff in the regenerative nature of nature.

Learning Format: Active Learning

Join your fellow directors, trustees, and leadership team members in this special reception.

$40 per ticket

Sponsored by DLR Group

Learning Format: Active Learning

Learn how to create a responsive program - a term to describe events created in response to visitor needs and behaviors. Rather than solely creating programs born from the museum's initiatives, responsive programs - whether about wellness, activism, or access - center visitor engagement. Attendees will participate in a short responsive program, hear examples from SAM, LACMA, and The Huntington, then engage in a workshop to create a responsive program for their organizations.

Join your colleagues from Arizona on an early morning hike up the Ventana Canyon. Starting at 6:30 am at the Trailhead, a short walk from the Resort, learn about the local plants, animals and indigenous people as you hike, or go at your own pace. Water, juice, and a light breakfast will be available when you return. Or just come for breakfast and networking!

As this is a hike, please wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the activity. Also, dogs are not allowed on the trail, and there are no restrooms available at the trailhead.

Cost: $10