Webinar Highlights: Striving Towards an Equitable Future: Addressing Systemic Injustice as a Cultural Organization

Across the nation, we are mourning the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery & Breonna Taylor with sadness and distress. Recent events have illuminated the systemic injustice that remains entrenched in our country and its institutions. As professionals in the cultural sector, it is pressing to situate our current moment, as well as the long history of deep-seated racism and inequality, in the context of museums and cultural organizations. As mission-based organizations serving diverse communities, it is critical to engage in a dialogue on the role of our institutions in a time of tragedy, anxiety, and unrest.

Last Wednesday, around 3,000 people joined Brendan Ciecko (CEO & Founder @ Cuseum), Terri Freeman (President @ National Civil Rights Museum), Damon Reaves (Interim Senior Curator of Education @ Philadelphia Museum of Art) & Cecile Shellman (Senior Diversity Fellow @ American Alliance of Museums) for a discussion on how cultural organizations can face systemic injustice, strive towards a more equitable future, and be beacons of hope for their communities.
Watch the full recording here.

Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from the conversation.

Webinar Highlights: Membership Mondays: Diversity & Community Support in Membership & Visitor Service

Across the nation, we are deeply shaken and distressed by the death of George Floyd and the widespread injustice towards the Black community. In light of current events and the national reckoning with deeply-rooted systemic racism in our country, it is vital and urgent to explore these issues in relation to museums and cultural institutions, both internally and in the context of supporting communities, serving diverse populations, and creating social impact.

This Monday, over 1,700 people joined Dan Sullivan (Head of Partnerships @ Cuseum), Kevin Thomas (Senior Manager, Membership and Annual Fund @ National Museum of African American History and Culture), Jeanette O’Bryant (Development Officer @ National Civil Rights Museum) & Ash Harris (VP of Guest Experience @ San Antonio Zoo) for a discussion that situated the national situation in the context of museums and culture. As membership, development, and guest services professionals, the panelists offered unique perspectives on how cultural organizations can renew their commitments to diversity, inclusion, and community support in this current moment and going forward.

Watch the full recording here.

Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from the conversation.

Webinar Highlights: Museum Think Tank: Tapping Into Fresh Ideas & Networks to Navigate the “New Normal”

As museums and cultural institutions prepare to reopen, many are facing considerable challenges and new hurdles. Across the globe, organizations have been tasked with rapidly creating new approaches, exploring models of operating, and serving their audiences with limited resources. To tackle these challenges, cultural professionals are turning to their colleagues within the field, as well as seeking inspiration and guidance from other industries to generate fresh ideas and leverage new networks.

To help bring together innovative thinkers from inside and outside the museum field, this webinar will take the form of a museum “Think Tank.” Last Wednesday, over 2,000 people joined Brendan Ciecko (CEO & Founder @ Cuseum), Douglas Hegley (Chief Digital Officer @ Minneapolis Institute of Art), Effie Kapsalis (Senior Digital Program Officer @ Smithsonian Institution), Bob Mason (Co-Founder @ Brightcove / Managing Partner @ Argon Ventures) & Claude Grunitzky (Visiting Social Innovator @ Harvard Kennedy School) as they broke down some of the most pressing challenges currently facing the museum field and offered up interdisciplinary solutions and ideas.

Watch the full recording here.

Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from the conversation.

Webinar Transcript: Museum Think Tank: Tapping Into Fresh Ideas & Networks to Navigate the "New Normal"

As museums and cultural institutions prepare to reopen, many are facing considerable challenges and new hurdles. Across the globe, organizations have been tasked with rapidly creating new approaches, exploring models of operating, and serving their audiences with limited resources. To tackle these challenges, cultural professionals are turning to their colleagues within the field, as well as seeking inspiration and guidance from other industries to generate fresh ideas and leverage new networks.

To help bring together innovative thinkers from inside and outside the museum field, this webinar will take the form of a museum “Think Tank.” Join Brendan Ciecko (CEO & Founder @ Cuseum), Douglas Hegley (Chief Digital Officer @ Minneapolis Institute of Art), Effie Kapsalis (Senior Digital Program Officer @ Smithsonian Institution), Bob Mason (Co-Founder @ Brightcove / Managing Partner @ Argon Ventures) & Claude Grunitzky (Visiting Social Innovator @ Harvard Kennedy School) as they break down some of the most pressing challenges currently facing the museum field and offer up interdisciplinary solutions and ideas.

View the video recording here.

Read the full transcript below.

Statement: We stand in solidarity with the Black community

Cuseum values equality, accessibility, and inclusion across the cultural sector and entire world.

We stand with those raising their voices in support of justice and equality.

We know that actions speak louder than words and that we have lots of work to do. In the meantime, we will be finding ways to support organizations that are playing a role in addressing social justice, fostering inclusion, and promoting civil rights.

Webinar Highlights: Membership Mondays: The Onsite Member Experience After Coronavirus Closures 

Across the world, we’re beginning to see museums, zoos, gardens, and other cultural sites reopen after coronavirus closures. Many are initiating phased reopenings, using timed-ticketing and contactless modes of entry, opening to members only, and/or creating special hours for different groups. As these organizations began to reopen in the era of social distancing, many are rethinking what the onsite member experience may look like without the close interactions, friendly encounters with staff, and other personalized experiences that make visiting your organization so special.

Last Monday, over 1,400 people joined Dan Sullivan (Head of Growth and Partnerships @ Cuseum), John Perell (Director of Strategy & Member Experience @ Smithsonian Institution), Melissa Dietrich (Associate Director, Membership @ Longwood Gardens) & Zach Winfield (Vice President @ Zoo Advisors) as they discussed what the onsite member experience may look like after coronavirus closures and going into the future.

Watch the full recording here.

Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from the conversation.

Webinar Transcript: Membership Mondays: The Onsite Membership Experience After Coronavirus Closures

Across the world, we’re beginning to see museums, zoos, gardens, and other cultural sites reopen after coronavirus closures. Many are initiating phased reopenings, using timed-ticketing and contactless modes of entry, opening to members only, and/or creating special hours for different groups. As these organizations began to reopen in the era of social distancing, many are rethinking what the onsite member experience may look like without the close interactions, friendly encounters with staff, and other personalized experiences that make visiting your organization so special.

Join Dan Sullivan (Head of Growth and Partnerships @ Cuseum), John Perell (Director of Strategy & Member Experience @ Smithsonian Institution), Melissa Dietrich (Associate Director, Membership @ Longwood Gardens) & Zach Winfield (Vice President @ Zoo Advisors) as they discuss what the onsite member experience may look like after coronavirus closures and going into the future.

View the video recording here.

Read the full transcript below.

Webinar Transcript: Virtual Memberships: Creating Digital Benefits & Virtual Access for Members

During the past several months of coronavirus closures, many museums and cultural organizations have pioneered new digital content to keep their members and visitors engaged during these unprecedented closures. Many members have responded so positively to this new digital access that membership professionals may be considering making digital benefits and virtual access a more permanent fixture of membership, or even adding a “virtual membership” level.

Join Dan Sullivan (Head of Growth and Partnerships @ Cuseum), Sarah Owens (Membership Manager @ Exploratorium), Kara Fikse (Advancement Events Manager @ Carnegie Museums), & Cat Harper (Guest Services & Events Manager @ National Steinbeck Center) for a webinar to discuss digital and virtual memberships and how to offer digital access to your members.

View the video recording here.

Read the full transcript below.

Webinar Highlights: Membership Mondays: Virtual Memberships: Creating Digital Benefits & Virtual Access for members

During the past several months of coronavirus closures, many museums and cultural organizations have pioneered new digital content to keep their members and visitors engaged during these unprecedented closures. Many members have responded so positively to this new digital access that membership professionals may be considering making digital benefits and virtual access a more permanent fixture of membership, or even adding a “virtual membership” level.

Last Thursday, over 1,500 membership and museum professionals joined Dan Sullivan (Head of Growth and Partnerships @ Cuseum), Sarah Owens (Membership Manager @ Exploratorium), Kara Fikse (Advancement Events Manager @ Carnegie Museums), & Cat Harper (Guest Services & Events Manager @ National Steinbeck Center) for a webinar discussing digital and virtual memberships and how to offer digital access to your members.

Watch the full recording here.

Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from the conversation.

Webinar Transcript: The "Contactless" Future: Reimagining The Visitor Experience In The Era of Coronavirus

Before the vast majority of the world’s museums and attractions were forced to temporarily close due the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting a museum was often an interactive, tactile, and social experience, involving many person-to-person interactions. From exchanges at the admissions and membership desks, interactions with fellow patrons, and special experiences involving touch screens or hands-on activities, the visitor experience has historically been filled with physical touchpoints. Now, as museums prepare to reopen in an era of social distancing, many are imagining a “contactless” future.

Last Wednesday, over 4,400 people joined Brendan Ciecko (CEO and Founder @ Cuseum), Atiba Edwards (Executive VP & COO @ Brooklyn Children’s Museum), Andrea Montiel de Shuman (Digital Experience Designer @ Detroit Institute of Arts), & Don Undeen (Former Senior Manager of MediaLab @ Metropolitan Museum of Art) as they explored the evolving “visitor experience” and what the “contactless” future may hold. This webinar examined the merits of digital media, emerging technologies, and more!

Here, you can also view and add to the Coronavirus Preparedness Community Document. This is a living document for organizations to share their best practices.

View the video recording here.

Read the full transcript below.

Webinar Highlights: The “Contactless” Future: Reimagining the Visitor Experience in the Era of Coronavirus

Before the vast majority of the world’s museums and attractions were forced to temporarily close due the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting a museum was often an interactive, tactile, and social experience, involving many person-to-person interactions. From exchanges at the admissions and membership desks, interactions with fellow patrons, and special experiences involving touch screens or hands-on activities, the visitor experience has historically been filled with physical touchpoints. Now, as museums prepare to reopen in an era of social distancing, many are imagining a “contactless” future.

Last Wednesday, over 4,400 people joined Brendan Ciecko (CEO and Founder @ Cuseum), Atiba Edwards (Executive VP & COO @ Brooklyn Children’s Museum), Andrea Montiel de Shuman (Digital Experience Designer @ Detroit Institute of Arts), & Don Undeen (Former Senior Manager of MediaLab @ Metropolitan Museum of Art) as they explored the evolving “visitor experience” and what the “contactless” future may hold. This webinar examined the merits of digital media, emerging technologies, and more!

Here, you can also view and add to the Coronavirus Preparedness Community Document. This is a living document for organizations to share their best practices.

Watch the full recording here.

Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from the conversation.

Webinar Highlights: Exploring the Future of Museums in the Era of Coronavirus

Two months ago, the escalation of the coronavirus crisis forced many museums and cultural institutions to close their doors to visitors. In response, many organizations shifted their efforts to engaging visitors through digital platforms, many making impressive pivots and accelerating their digital transformations. Now, as museums prepare to reopen and plan for the near and long term future, new concerns are seizing the attention of the entire cultural industry – what will the future hold? Will there be new business and engagement models? And what does the physically-distanced museum experience look like?

Last Wednesday, more than 3,600 people joined Brendan Ciecko (CEO and Founder @ Cuseum), Franklin Sirmans (Director @ Pérez Art Museum Miami), Karen Wong (Deputy Director @ New Museum) & Lath Carlson (Executive Director @ Museum of the Future) as they evaluated the profound impacts of coronavirus and offered insights about what the future will hold for museums.

Watch the full recording here.

Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from the conversation.

Webinar Transcript: Exploring the Future of Museums in the Era of Coronavirus

Two months ago, the escalation of the coronavirus crisis forced many museums and cultural institutions to close their doors to visitors. In response, many organizations shifted their efforts to engaging visitors through digital platforms, many making impressive pivots and accelerating their digital transformations. Now, as museums prepare to reopen and plan for the near and long term future, new concerns are seizing the attention of the entire cultural industry – what will the future hold? Will there be new business and engagement models? And what does the physically-distanced museum experience look like?

Last Wednesday, more than 3,600 people joined Brendan Ciecko (CEO and Founder @ Cuseum), Franklin Sirmans (Director @ Pérez Art Museum Miami), Karen Wong (Deputy Director @ New Museum) & Lath Carlson (Executive Director @ Museum of the Future) as they evaluated the profound impacts of coronavirus and offered insights about what the future will hold for museums.

View the video recording here.

Read the full transcript below.

Webinar Highlights: Membership Mondays: Membership Marketing, Audience Shifts & Community Engagement after Coronavirus

After almost two months of coronavirus closures, many museums and cultural organizations are preparing to welcome visitors and members back. However, while organizations may be reopening, many are doing so in a graduated way and facing new challenges. In particular, many are realizing that tourism will be down for quite some time, which has the potential to profoundly affect admissions and membership revenue. At the same time, cultural organizations may have renewed appeal to local audiences as the world embraces a “stay local” or “staycation” mentality for the foreseeable future.

Last Monday, 1,600 people joined Dan Sullivan (Head of Growth and Partnerships @ Cuseum), Tim O’Connell (Director of Membership & Annual Giving @ North Carolina Museum of Art), Julie Knight (Director of Membership @ San Francisco Museum of Modern Art), Sewon Barrera (Digital Marketing Manager @ Exploratorium) & Daniel Vincent (Director of Membership @ Trustees of Reservations) as they discussed shifts in audiences and membership marketing strategy in light of coronavirus. The webinar addressed how organizations can reorient the value propositions of membership and double down on local audience development to survive and thrive in the coronavirus era.

Watch the full recording here.

Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from the conversation:

Webinar Transcript: Membership Mondays: Membership Marketing, Audience Shifts & Community, Engagement Shifts after Coronavirus

After almost two months of coronavirus closures, many museums and cultural organizations are preparing to welcome visitors and members back. However, while organizations may be reopening, many are doing so in a graduated way and facing new challenges. In particular, many are realizing that tourism will be down for quite some time, which has the potential to profoundly affect admissions and membership revenue. At the same time, cultural organizations may have renewed appeal to local audiences as the world embraces a “stay local” or “staycation” mentality for the foreseeable future.

Last Monday, 1,600 people joined Dan Sullivan (Head of Growth and Partnerships @ Cuseum), Tim O’Connell (Director of Membership & Annual Giving @ North Carolina Museum of Art), Julie Knight (Director of Membership @ San Francisco Museum of Modern Art), Sewon Barrera (Digital Marketing Manager @ Exploratorium) & Daniel Vincent (Director of Membership @ Trustees of Reservations) as they discussed shifts in audiences and membership marketing strategy in light of coronavirus. The webinar addressed how organizations can reorient the value propositions of membership and double down on local audience development to survive and thrive in the coronavirus era.

Watch the full recording here.

Read the full transcript below.

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