Our blog
Observations and thoughts around museum practice and institutional empathy
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Why Cultural Institutions Must Lead Civic Engagement
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Read more: Why Cultural Institutions Must Lead Civic EngagementCivic engagement is vital to democracy, as it empowers citizens to contribute meaningfully to public life. Deborah Cullinan emphasizes the need for cultural institutions, like the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, to transform into leaders in civic…
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Civic Vision, Community Resonance, Culture of Empathy, Honor Roll, Institutional Body Language, Institutional Partnerships, Timeliness & SustainabilityHonor Roll: Erie Art Museum’s Old Songs New Opportunities
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Read more: Honor Roll: Erie Art Museum’s Old Songs New OpportunitiesThe Erie Art Museum’s “Old Songs New Opportunities” program exemplifies this empathy-driven change, fostering cross-cultural connections through music and addressing community needs, emphasizing the profound, lasting impact of diversity and collaboration in enriching lives.
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Civic Vision, Community Resonance, Culture of Empathy, Institutional Body Language, Institutional Partnerships
Can Museums Be Empathetic? Yes!
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Read more: Can Museums Be Empathetic? Yes!We explore the profound concept of institutional empathy as a metaphor for interconnectedness within organizations. We argue that just like the human body, institutions thrive on systemic qualities, where every part impacts the whole, reinforcing the necessity for…
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An Update on The Empathetic Museum
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Read more: An Update on The Empathetic MuseumGretchen Jennings updates on the Empathetic Museum project, emphasizing the urgency of empathetic practices within museums amidst current societal issues. She discusses the development of the Empathetic Museum Maturity Model and encourages its application. Museums must actively promote…
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Honoring Experience
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Read more: Honoring ExperienceEastern State Penitentiary has launched a groundbreaking exhibit, “Prisons Today,” examining contemporary incarceration in America. This initiative reflects a commitment to engage with the complexities of mass incarceration. Through co-facilitated tours involving formerly incarcerated individuals, the museum aims…
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The Empathetic Museum and the Empathy for Librarians
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Read more: The Empathetic Museum and the Empathy for LibrariansLibraries and librarians are not simply nestled in their communities, they are inter-woven into the fabric of the society in which they exist. Why do libraries and library staff connect with their communities in uniquely responsive and empathetic…
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IMLS Community Catalyst Initiative
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Read more: IMLS Community Catalyst InitiativeThe Community Catalyst Initiative from the Institute of Museum and Library Services aims to gather multi-disciplinary insights to create tools for museum and library staff. An upcoming Town Hall in Philadelphia will engage experts and the public to…
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Report May, 27, 2016 session: “Institutional Self-Reflection in Museum Practice”
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Read more: Report May, 27, 2016 session: “Institutional Self-Reflection in Museum Practice”The Empathetic Museum presented the Maturity Model at the American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting. The session fostered discussions on racism and community engagement, emphasizing the need for real institutional change. Participants evaluated key characteristics such as Civic…
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Museums & Race 2016: Gathering for Transformation and Justice
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Read more: Museums & Race 2016: Gathering for Transformation and JusticeThe Empathetic Museum is collaborating with Museum Workers Speak for a session at the AAM’s Museums & Race Gathering focused on racism and oppression in museum practices. Leaders will facilitate discussions on empathy and institutional reflection, encouraging participants…
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The Empathetic Museum: Institutional Body Language
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Read more: The Empathetic Museum: Institutional Body LanguageGretchen Jennings’ post on The Empathetic Museum discusses how an institution’s internal empathy must align with its outward identity. It stresses that museums must genuinely prioritize visitor-centered practices and community commitment to establish meaningful connections with diverse audiences,…
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Our Museum: UK project
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Read more: Our Museum: UK projectThis project provides funding for museums interested in internal transformation to build closer community ties. (Link: http://www.phf.org.uk/publications/) Learn more about initiative, Our Museum: Communities and Museums as Active Partners, aimed at facilitating institutional change and stronger community partnerships in museums.
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Characteristics of the Empathetic Museum
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Read more: Characteristics of the Empathetic Museum1. Civic vision:the imagination to see the institution as a part of and not apart from the larger community, a player with status and responsibilities in the civic arena. Evidence: In addition to links with other area cultural…
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