FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2015
AAM presents a three-day program hosted in partnership with Fundación TyPA – Teoría y Práctica de las Artes
Washington, DC—The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) announces Reimagining the Museums: Conference of the Americas, September 2-4, 2015 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a first-of-its-kind convening of museum professionals from Latin and North America that will explore the transformation of museums and museum leaders to better meet the changing needs of their communities. The program will bring together approximately 400 visionaries and change-makers from the Americas to discuss challenges, share examples of innovation and foster cross-cultural collaboration.
Reimagining the Museum will explore topics such as institutional change, leadership transformation and strategies for strengthening the impact of museums in their communities. Sessions will stimulate dialogue and debate on a diverse range of topics to include: the representation and inclusion—or lack thereof—of particular communities in museums; the museum role in addressing social inequity, community loss and healing; and how ever-changing social realities influence access and representation in museum exhibitions, programs, and institutional mission and planning. Sessions will include examples of best practices, inventive methodology, visionary ideas and creative approaches for problem solving.
“The Alliance is thrilled that Reimagining the Museum will empower museum professionals from a wide range of functional areas and diverse disciplines to build networks between Latin and North America, while sharing resources and best practices,” said Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer Laura Lott. “The Alliance continues to prioritize opportunities such as this one that enable AAM and its global partners to nurture excellence and champion the cause that museums are essential.”
The conference will feature three keynote presentations by influential thought leaders, who will share cross-cultural perspectives on the 21st century museum and the influence of globalization on audience engagement. Keynote speakers include Marcelo Araujo, Secretary of Culture, São Paulo State (Brazil), Lonnie Bunch, Director, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (US) and José Nun, former Secretary of Culture (Argentina).
The conference also includes:
- Ten panel discussions comprised of 50 museum experts primarily from Latin and North America
- Presentations of exemplary case studies and visionary projects
- Seven intensive, small group workshops on timely and practical issues including prototyping, exhibition layering, visual thinking, audience research, museum standards, financial strategies, social networking and fundraising
- One plenary workshop to formulate a “Manifesto for Museums of the Americas”
- Group visits to local museums and social events
Confirmed speakers include: David Anderson, Museums Association (UK); Maria Eugenia Salcedo Repoles, Instituto Inhotim (Brazil); Alice Greenwald, National September 11 Memorial & Museum (US); Denise Ledgard, Lugar de la Memoria, La Tolerancia y la Inclusión Social (Peru); Rob Stein, Dallas Museum of Art (US); and more.
Translation will be provided in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The conference hashtags are #CulturalExchange and #AAMGlobal.
For more information, visit www.reimaginingthemuseum.com/.
Reimagining the Museum is made possible in part by support from the Getty Foundation and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
ABOUT AAM INTERNATIONAL
The Alliance is committed to partnering with museums and other organizations on international programs. We believe strong, lasting relationships between U.S. and global museums will mutually benefit and advance excellence for all. AAM partners with global museums on core standards and best practices for museums and museum professionals.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS
The American Alliance of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. With nearly 25,000 individual, more than 4,000 institutional and 300 corporate members, the Alliance is dedicated to ensuring that museums remain a vital part of our communities, connecting people with the greatest achievements of the human experience, past, present and future. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.
Follow the Alliance on Facebook and Twitter!
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristin Guiter
kguiter@aam-us.org
(202) 288-5624
