New York State Museums in Conversation Conference: Call for Participation

What Inspires You? is the theme for the 2010 Upstate History Alliance/MANY conference, scheduled for April 11-13, at the Albany Marriott, Wolf Road in Albany.

We all take inspiration from many ­ sometimes unlikely ­ sources. In continuing the conversation format of last year's conference (the largest gathering of museum professionals in NY State), UHA and MANY seek discussion proposals that focus on what inspires you about the work of others, be they museums, libraries, nature centers or parks, small or big businesses. What have you seen that's been so great, so innovative, so enterprising, so adaptable, and so fun that you want to talk about it with your colleagues?

We welcome proposals from a wide range of institutions and practitioners, within and outside the museum community, to encourage lively discussions that offer new perspectives on our work and create new connections to each other.

Submitting a Proposal
The deadline for submitting a proposal is November 2, 2009. Proposals must be submitted electronically, as an email attachment to stephanie@upstatehistory.org
Visit www.upstatehistory.org/services/conferences/conference.html to download the proposal form and for more information. The program committee will review proposals and decisions will be made by the mid November.

Questions?
If you have any questions or are looking for assistance with developing a proposal, contact UHA Program Coordinator Stephanie Lehner at 800.895.1648 or MANY Director Anne Ackerson at 518.273.3400 or info@manyonline.org

2010 Museums in Conversation Theme: What Say You?

MANY and our conference partner, the Upstate History Alliance, are planning our 2010 Museums in Conversation Conference for April 11-13, at the Albany Marriott (site of the 2008 conference).

We're kicking around theme ideas and we need your help. Should the conference theme be practical or aspirational....or both? Will a conference about leveraging resources bring folks out in droves in these tough times?

Tell us what you think.

Strategic Planning at MANY

As we work this year to update the MANY strategic plan, we are asking our members and supporters to help us set the course for our future. You have three ways to become involved in this important process:

· take our Member Survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WhA4HoGq_2frfYG1_2fPWAiytA_3d_3d

· attend one of the following discussions to ask your questions and offer your insights about advocacy, legislation, standards and trends affecting your work. Here’s the schedule so far:

Monday, June 8: Holland Land Office
Museum, Batavia; 3-5 pm

Tuesday, June 9: Tanglewood Nature
Center, Elmira; 1-3 pm

Wednesday, June 10: Oneida Community
Mansion House, Oneida; 10 am – Noon

Wednesday, June 10: Shaker Heritage
Society, Albany; 3-5 pm

Friday, June 26: Manitoga,
Garrison; 10-Noon

Thursday, July 9: Alley Pond
Environmental Center, Douglaston (Nassau County); 1-3
pm

Friday, July 10: Long Island
Museum, Stony Brook (Suffolk County); 10-Noon

Dates and locations are being confirmed for NYC.

AND....use this blog to tell us what your vision is for New York state's museum community

To view the current strategic plan, click here.

Photo: The Future Looks Bright by Cayusa

Conference Draws 250+ to Tarrytown

Opening Keynoter, Nina Simon

This year's Upstate History Alliance/Museum Association of New York conference underwent a major redo that focused plenaries and sessions on conversations. The range of topics was not only timely, but meant to attract museum professionals, board members, volunteers and students from across the wide spectrum of the field. The goal was to be a fresh, issues-oriented, and dynamic gathering of colleagues.

Did we succeed?

One participant made it a point of seeking me out to tell me that she really enjoyed the conference more than other years. "The discussion format allowed for more issues to be raised that never would have gotten out on the table," she said. Indeed, it's hard to predict where a topic might go when left to a group to manage it, but that was part of the intent...and, hopefully, the joy one gets from discovering something new or different.

Judging from the high buzz among participants in many venues, it seems that we got close. As we continue to refine and practice the conversational method, we will no doubt get better.

So, let us know your impressions of Tarrytown 2009.