WestMuse Blog

2020 has certainly been a year like no other. For the Western Museums Association (WMA), this year has meant the postponement of the 2020 Annual Meeting, which was to be held in Portland, Oregon from October 8^th-11^th.

We realize, although we won’t be gathering in-person this fall, there are still various ways in which we – the WMA and greater museum community – can collectively come together and virtually communicate, share ideas, and support one another while we continue to stay safely apart.

Well somehow, it’s September already.

As museums and cultural institutions begin to reopen across the states, some are trying to maintain remote work practices, and some are learning how to transition back from remote work to the office all while following social distancing and other COVID-19 safety protocols.

Over the last few months, there has been growing concern and anxiety around how and where to cast a vote for November’s 2020 General Election.

In this uncertain time, one thing still remains true – the act of preparing and serving a meal, no matter how simple or complex, can bring great comfort and a sense of pleasure into our lives.

By Bryn Barabas Potter – BBP Museum Consulting

An outcome of the global coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, museums and cultural institutions from coast-to-coast have been asked to reflect upon their own organizational values, commitment to diversity, and any internal discrepancies when it comes to equity in staffing, best practices, and community engagement.

There’s no doubt that 2020 has redefined what “social” means. It no longer means sitting together at the dinner table with friends, throwing birthday parties, having game nights, or visiting loved ones.

In the era of COVID-19, community engagement has shifted to the virtual.