Reconnect, Rejuvenate, Take Action

Reconnect, Rejuvenate, Take Action
Alabama Museums Association Annual Meeting
Tuscaloosa, February 19 - 21, 2012
Preliminary Program
As a benefit of your conference registration, these Tuscaloosa-area Museums
will be open and welcoming your visit!
The Alabama Museum of Natural History
427 6th Avenue Northeast, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0001
Hours of Operation: every day 9:00-4:30
Telephone: 205.348.7550
Moundville Archaeological Park
13075 Moundville Archaeological Park,
Moundville, AL 35474-6413
Hours of Operation: every day 9:00-5:00
Telephone: 205.371.2234
The Battle-Friedman
House and Gardens
1010 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours of Operation: Sunday-Monday 1:00-4:00;
Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-12:00, 1:00-4:00
Telephone: 205.758.6138
The Murphy African-American Museum
2601 Paul Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours of Operation: Saturday 10:00-12:00, 1:00-4:00;
Sunday-Monday 1:00-4:00
Telephone: 205.758.2861
Children’s Hands-On Museum
2213 University Blvd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 9:00-5:00;
Friday 9:00-8:30; Saturday 10:00-4:00
Telephone: 205.349.4235
The Old Tavern Museum
500 28th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours of Operation: Saturday-Monday 1:00-4:00;
or by appointment
Telephone: 205.758.2238 | 205.752.1998
The Gorgas House Museum
810 Capstone Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00-12:00,
1:00-4:30; (Guided tours will only be available
Tuesday 3:00-5:00)
Telephone: 205.348.5906 | 205.348.7551
The Paul W. Bryant Museum
300 Paul W. Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Hours of Operation: every day 9:00-4:00
Telephone: 205.348.4668
Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion
1305 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours of Operation: Sunday 1:00-4:00;
Monday-Friday 10:00-5:00
Telephone: 205.758.2906
Tuscaloosa Museum of Art
1400 Jack Warner Parkway NE, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Hours of Operation: Sunday 1:00-6:00;
closed Monday; Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-6:00
Telephone: 205.562.5296
The Mildred Westervelt Warner
Transportation Museum
1901 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Hours of Operation: Sunday-Tuesday 10:00-4:30
Telephone: 205.759.9603
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Sunday, February 19, 2012
4:00 – 5:00pm Registration, Hotel Capstone, 320 Paul W. Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
5:15 – 5:30pm AMA Opening Remarks & Welcome, Capstone Ballroom at Hotel Capstone
Sunday Evening Events
5:45-6:45pm Paul Jones Gallery and Harrison Gallery for appetizers and cocktails
6:45-7:45pm Children’s Hands-On Museum for dinner
8:00-9:00pm Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion for dessert and coffee
Transportation will depart the front entrance of Hotel Capstone at 5:30 and the front entrance of the
Children’s Hands-On Museum at 7:45. Then, transportation will depart the Jemison Van de Graaff
Mansion at 9:00, arriving back at Hotel Capstone at 9:15. Pre-registration is required.
Monday, February 20, 2012
8:15 – 8:45am Breakfast Networking, Paul W. Bryant Museum, 300 Paul W. Bryant Drive
8:45am – 5:00pm
Registration, Hotel Capstone
9:00 – 10:15am
Session 1-A, Clay Room, Hotel Capstone
Starting a Virtual Museum
This session will describe the collaborative effort undertaken to create a virtual museum of the Tuscaloosa
area. The successes and failures of the process will be presented with advice for others interested in such
an undertaking.
Presentation by: Elizabeth Bradt, Coordinator, Tuscaloosa Public Library
Session 1-B, Moore Room, Hotel Capstone
OMG, LOL, HMU: Effectively Connecting with Teenage Volunteers
Teenage volunteers are often a feared resource in a museum setting. Will they use appropriate language?
Remain at their station? Remain calm in difficult situations? Or have the maturity to handle complex
projects? The answer to these questions is a resounding yes. With a thorough training, specific guidelines,
and a strong working relationship, teenagers can become a favorite part of a museum workforce. This
session will cover training techniques, management, disciplinary measures, and will examine specific
cases to explain how we effectively use Junior Volunteers within our own organization.
Presentation by: Tabitha Barber, former Volunteer Coordinator, Alabama Department of Archives and History
Kelly Hoomes, Museum Educator, Alabama Department of Archives and History
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Session 1-C, Tuscaloosa Museum of Art
*Two-part session* To attend this session, register at the AMA registration table. Van transportation
will be provided to attendees and will leave the front of Hotel Capstone at 9:00am.
Out and In: How to Move a Museum
A presentation involving the planning and execution necessary for moving a major collection of fine art
and décor. Followed by a tour and question and answer session.
Presentation by:
Ashley Taylor, Westervelt Foundation Board President, Tuscaloosa Museum of Art: Home of the Westervelt Collection
Will Hawkins, Museum Coordinator, Tuscaloosa Museum of Art: Home of the Westervelt Collection
Kathie Thurman, Administration Services Coordinator, Tuscaloosa Museum of Art: Home of the Westervelt Collection
10:15 – 10:45am
Vendor Break
10:15 – 5:00pm Silent Auction Opens
10:45am – Noon
Session 2-A, Clay Room, Hotel Capstone
Better Communication through Graphic Design
Budget limitations have you designing in-house? If you are designing in-house print publications with
little or no design experience, this session will introduce you to some basic design rules to help you
create consistent, economical, professional designs. Learn more about resources and software that are
integral to making you a better designer. From choosing the right paper and ink to implementing some
tricks to getting more for your money. This session welcomes anyone wanting to enhance their visual
communications.
Presentation by: Laura Lineberry, Instructor of Graphic Design, The University of Alabama
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Session 2-B, Moore Room, Hotel Capstone
Programming: How to get started and have success
This session will discuss how to develop programming ideas into a deliverable product. Successes and
failures will be discussed. Attendees are encouraged to bring ideas to share.
Presentation by: Betsy Irwin, Education Outreach Coordinator, Moundville Archaeological Park
Amanda Espy-Brown, Education and Outreach Coordinator, Alabama Museum of Natural History
Karen Utz, Curator, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
Session 2-C, Murphy Room, Hotel Capstone
Social Media in a Crisis
Following the April 27th storms, the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau launched “Recover
Tuscaloosa.” Hear how tourism’s role changed in an instant, from one of promotion, to one of survival
and helping a community in need.
Presentation by: Robert Ratliff, TMP, Alabama Live (AL.com)
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Session 2-D, Tuscaloosa Museum of Art
*Two-part session* Van transportation will depart the front entrance of the Tuscaloosa Museum of
Art at 11:30, returning to Hotel Capstone.
Out and In: How to Move a Museum
A presentation involving the planning and execution necessary for moving a major collection of fine art
and décor. Followed by a tour and question and answer session.
Presentation by:
Ashley Taylor, Westervelt Foundation Board President, Tuscaloosa Museum of Art: Home of the Westervelt Collection
Will Hawkins, Museum Coordinator, Tuscaloosa Museum of Art: Home of the Westervelt Collection
Kathie Thurman, Administration Services Coordinator, Tuscaloosa Museum of Art: Home of the Westervelt Collection
12:15 – 1:45pm Lunch & Keynote Speaker, Capstone Ballroom, Hotel Capstone
The Alabama Museums Association proudly welcomes
Mayor of Tuscaloosa, Mr. Walter Maddox
On November 2, 2009, Walter Maddox was sworn in for his second term as Tuscaloosa’s 36th Mayor.
Since his first inauguration, Mayor Maddox has led initiatives to increase economic development,
improve customer service and provide quality pre-k education for academically at-risk four-year old
children. He plans to continue these efforts throughout his second term.
Mayor Maddox is a Tuscaloosa native and graduated from Central High School. He earned his bachelor’s
degree in Political Science and master’s degree in Public Administration from the UAB. While at UAB,
Mayor Maddox was a four-year letter-winner on the football team.
The majority of Mayor Maddox’s professional career has been spent in public education. From 1996 –
2001, he served as a Field Director with the Alabama Education Association. In 2001, he was appointed
Executive Director of Personnel for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. In that same year, he was elected as City
Councilman for the Sixth District.
2:00 – 3:15pm
Session 3-A, Clay Room, Hotel Capstone
The Five Commandments of Marketing for People Who Don’t Have Budgets for
Marketing
This session will identify and discuss different ways to effectively promote an organization without spending.
Presentation by: Justin Combs, PhD student in Advertising and Public Relations,
The University of Alabama
Session 3-B, Moore Room, Hotel Capstone
Beyond the Flat: Rethinking Exhibit Development using Archives and Special
Collections Materials
This presentation will focus on exhibit development from the perspective of the archives and special
collections world, drawing from experiences. It will also touch upon ideas for collaboration between
libraries, archives, and museums.
Presentation by: Jessica Lacher-Feldman, Curator of Rare Books and Special Collections,
The University of Alabama
Jamie Burke, Graduate Student, UA School of Library and Information Studies
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Session 3-C, Murphy Room, Hotel Capstone
So You Want to Work in a Museum?
This session is for students interested in joining a museum, either through an internship, volunteering,
or employment. The goal of this session is to show students how they can use their experience to develop
their careers, as well as help them find available opportunities. The presenter will share her experience
and encourages attendees to do the same.
Presentation by: Viola Moten, Curator of the Troy University Rosa Parks Museum
3:15 – 4:00pm Vendor Break
Monday Evening EventS
4:00-5:00pm Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum for appetizers and cocktails.
5:40-7:15pm Moundville Archaeological Park and Jones Archaeological Museum for dinner and dessert.
Transportation will depart the front entrance of Hotel Capstone at 4:00, and at the front entrance of the
Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum at 5:00. Then, transportation will depart the Jones
Archaeological Museum at 7:15, arriving back at Hotel Capstone at 8:00. Pre-registration is required.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
8:15 – 8:45am Breakfast Networking, Paul W. Bryant Museum, 300 Paul W. Bryant Drive
8:45am – noon Registration, Hotel Capstone
9:00 – 10:15am
Session 4-A, Clay Room, Hotel Capstone
Museum Accessibility: How and Why
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 12% of the United States population report having a disability; in
Alabama, the percentage is 16.6%. IS your museum accessible to 100% of these potential visitors? This
session will address the “why” and “how” of museum accessibility: why museums should ensure their
spaces and collections are accessible to people with disabilities and ways to do so. Specific examples of
accessible exhibits and programs will be shared, and attendees will leave the session with tools to help
them provide greater access for all visitors.
Presentation and round-table by: Melissa Fortson Green, Research and Instructional Services Librarian, The University of Alabama
Session 4-B, Moore Room, Hotel Capstone
Making Your Exhibit Labels Interactive
Printed graphic labels will be with us for years to come, but more museums are employing “active labels”
in their exhibits. Come learn about technology trends in tablets, smart phones, and QR codes and how
they can make your exhibit labels more interactive.
Presentation by: John W. Kelton, Designer/Owner, Kelton Design, LLC
Ken Gaddy, Director, Paul W. Bryant Museum
Brad Green, Assistant Curator, Paul W. Bryant Museum
Erik Lizee, Director of Exhibit Design and Development, McWane Science Center
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Session 4-C, Mary Harmon Bryant Building, the University of Alabama
Cabinets of Curiosity
*To attend this session, register at the AMA registration table. Van transportation will be provided
to attendees and will leave the front of Hotel Capstone at 9:00am.
Take a one-of-a-kind tour of the University of Alabama Museums collections storage facility, with fossils,
ceramics, textiles, insects, taxidermy, and much, much more! Presentation will include history and
challenges of caring for such a varied collection.
Presentation by: Mary Bade, Director of Collections, The University of Alabama Museums
10:15 – 10:45am Vendor Break
10:15 – 10:45am Silent Auction Closes
Please make payments in the form of a check (made payable to Alabama Museums Association) or cash
to silent auction coordinator, Janet Wyatt, by 2:00pm.
10:45am – Noon
Session 5-A, Clay Room, Hotel Capstone
Museum Personnel Needs for the 21st Century
Would you like to know what skills and knowledge are most valued by respected leaders in the museum
field for museum professionals? What general areas of museum expertise are sought by museum directors
when filling positions? How well are graduate museum studies programs in the United States meeting
these needs? The results of a national study will be presented that collected information from some of
the nation’s top museum leaders and the chairs of museum studies programs at universities across the
U.S. This session should be useful for students planning their course of study or mid-career museum
professional planning professional development.
Presentation by: Bill Bomar, Director, Moundville Archaeological Park
Session 5-B, Moore Room, Hotel Capstone
I Can’t Do a Survey
Using a technology survey, conducted by the Bryant Museum, session attendees will explore how to
conduct and analyze a visitor survey. Results from the Bryant Museum survey will be presented.
Presentation by: Ken Gaddy, Director, Paul W. Bryant Museum
Dr. Steven MacCall, Associate Professor, School of Library and Information Studies, The University of Alabama
Session 5-C, Murphy Room, Hotel Capstone
Beyond Gift Entry
Learn how to leverage the power of your database to increase donor loyalty, involvement, and investment
in your program.
Presentation by: Kate Cleveland, Director of Development, Birmingham Museum of Art
Andrew Farrell, Database Manager, Birmingham Museum of Art
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Session 5-D, Alabama Museum of Natural History
Smith Hall: 100 Years and Counting
*To attend this session, register at the AMA registration table. Van transportation will be provided
to attendees and will leave the front of Hotel Capstone at 10:45 a.m.
Join staff from the Alabama Museum of Natural History for a tour of their renovated exhibition
halls. This 112-year-old, Beaux-Arts styled building is home to thousands of invaluable artifacts and
scientific collections. During the tour, attendees will have the opportunity to see artifacts such as the
Hodges meteorite, the only meteorite known to have struck a human, and the State Fossil of Alabama:
Basilosaurus cetoides.
Presentation by: Todd Hester, Museum Naturalist, The University of Alabama Museums
12:00 – 2:00pm Lunch & AMA Annual Business Meeting, Hotel Capstone Grand Ballroom
The Alabama Museums Association proudly welcomes
Mr. Rick Dowling and Mr. Brad Fisher
After days of learning and networking, relax with local comedians, Rick Dowling and Brad Fisher, as
they roast the profession that we love. After a good lunch and great laugh, the AMA’s annual business
meeting will commence.
After the conclusion of the annual conference, take your time getting home
and stop by one of these terrific Tuscaloosa-area museums and attractions.
Conference attendees will receive free admission!
(see first page of program for hours of operation and contact information for individual museums)
The Alabama Museum of Natural History
The Battle-Friedman House
Children’s Hands-On Museum
The Gorgas House Museum
Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion
The Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum
Moundville Archaeological Park
Murphy African-American Museum
The Old Tavern Museum
Paul W. Bryant Museum
Tuscaloosa Museum of Art
www.alabamamuseums.org/museums
The host hotel is the Hotel Capstone on the University of Alabama campus.
320 Paul Bryant, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Phone: 205.752.3200, 800.477.2262 | www.hotelcapstone.com
The hotel rate for AMA participants is $89 per night, plus tax, before January 20, 2012.
Special room upgrades are available. Read those offerings at alabamamuseums.org/members/annual.
Reservations may be made online at www.capstone.com or by phone at 800.477.2262.
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