Are we there yet? Join me this week for a fabulous conversation with Carolyn Royston, Director of Digital at the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum, Boston.

Are we there yet? Join me this week for a fabulous conversation with Carolyn Royston, Director of Digital at the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum, Boston. Carolyn will describe her approach to building a forward- thinking digital strategy and, as the President of the Museum Computer Network (MCN) will share the ways that MCN is supporting the museum of the future.

Carol will share her observations from the Museum Computer Network and MuseumNext conferences.

Carol will share her observations from the Museum Computer Network and MuseumNext conferences.

Imagining America is an organization of publicly engaged artists, designers, scholars and community activists dedicated to the democratic transformation of higher education and civic life.

Imagining America is an organization of publicly engaged artists, designers, scholars and community activists dedicated to the democratic transformation of higher education and civic life. They address issues of social justice, inclusion and community engagement in higher education, issues similar to those faced by the museum community. In fact, Imagining America partners with museums and cultural leadership to create stronger communities. Join me this week as I talk with the faculty...

Lighting is often the first item to be cut from an exhibition budget, if it was even considered in the first place. But lighting is an essential part of the exhibition experience.

Lighting is often the first item to be cut from an exhibition budget, if it was even considered in the first place. But lighting is an essential part of the exhibition experience. Steven Rosen, President and Creative Director of Available Light, will share his expertise on this topic and provide tips on how museums of any size can improve their lighting design.

What can the business community teach the cultural sector about diversity? Stephanie Cunningham, Curator of Education at the African American Museum in Philadelphia will share her thoughts on this topic and discuss her upcoming projects.

What can the business community teach the cultural sector about diversity? Stephanie Cunningham, Curator of Education at the African American Museum in Philadelphia will share her thoughts on this topic and discuss her upcoming projects.

Much has been written lately about how museums can become more involved in social justice issues. In fact, the 2015 annual meeting of the American Alliance of Museums will focus on museums as places to present and discuss social and political problems.

Much has been written lately about how museums can become more involved in social justice issues. In fact, the 2015 annual meeting of the American Alliance of Museums will focus on museums as places to present and discuss social and political problems. But how do we engage our audiences in tough subject matter? How do we create experiences that seek to transform, not preach? Join the conversation this week with Ben Garcia as he provides insights into these questions.

From the founding of the Happy Museum Project to the redevelopment of the Silk Mill as Derby’s Museum of Making, Tony Butler will fill us in on his past and present projects.

From the founding of the Happy Museum Project to the redevelopment of the Silk Mill as Derby’s Museum of Making, Tony Butler will fill us in on his past and present projects.

What do cemeteries and museums have in common? Join the discussion this week as Robin Simonton Executive Director of the Oakwood Cemetery explains the history of cemeteries, their role in community building and the variety of innovative programming that they offer. Robin is just one of the authors featured in Cemetery Tours and Programs by Rachel Wolgemeth available through Routledge Publishers.

Historic sites provide a sense of place, especially for students. But how can we make their experience truly immersive. Andrea Jones, recent recipient of AAM's Innovation in Museum Education award will share her knowledge and thoughts.

In her book “Mounting Frustration: The Art Museum in the Age of Black Power,” Susan Cahan brings to light the stories behind some of the “ground breaking” exhibitions of African American artists in the 1960s and ‘70s. We will talk about the role these exhibitions played in reinforcing prejudice, how they spawned a movement toward culturally specific museums and how museums continue to act in ways that support privilege.

Ronna Tulgan Ostheimer, education director at the Clark, will share her philosophy about art education and how a seemingly simple shift in emphasis has inspired the development of timely programs that engage audiences in meaningful dialogue about difficult subjects.

What makes a good leader? For all our talk about leadership in the museum field, its definition remains elusive. This week we’ll build our leadership vocabulary by talking with Geri Thomas, President of Thomas and Associates, Inc., about leadership, staff development and career strategies.

In her book “Mounting Frustration: The Art Museum in the Age of Black Power,” Susan Cahan brings to light the stories behind some of the “ground breaking” exhibitions of African American artists in the 1960s and ‘70s. We will talk about the role these exhibitions played in reinforcing prejudice, how they spawned a movement toward culturally specific museums and how museums continue to act in ways that support privilege.

Every object tells a story. In 'Keeping Their Marbles' Tiffany Jenkins has written a fabulous account of how western museums came to own some of the world’s most iconic objects. Ms. Jenkins and I will discuss several examples as well as her thoughts on who owns culture.

The works that an artist creates is only part of their story. Their diaries, letters and even their emails provide insights into how the artist works, overcomes challenges and maintains creativity. Join me this week as I talk with Josh Franco the Latino Collections Specialist at the Archives of American Art who is responsible for developing the collection related to Latino artists.

We talk a lot about how museums can support social agendas, but seem to be short on examples. This week Peter Armstrong shares powerful examples from his own projects at the Royal Armories in England and how he is applying this experience to illuminate stories about immigration and liberty at the Jamestown and Yorktown Museum.

Why is it so difficult to measure success in museums? This week I talk with John Jacobsen about his new book that presents a new approach to measuring and evaluating museum value and impact.