Fishers, Indiana – A leader in opening doors and delivering outstanding museum experiences, Conner Prairie will host the Association of Indiana Museums (AIM) annual conference, August 24-25, 2008. The conference theme, Strengthening Community: The Museum’s Role, is a part of the ongoing effort of the organization to raise awareness and economically empower Indiana museums and their contribution as cultural resources to the state.
A highlight of this year’s conference is the keynote address by Dr. Ford Bell, president and CEO of the American Association of Museums (AAM) during Monday’s opening session. Dr. Bell will discuss a variety of issues including the AAM accreditation process, the value of museums and how museums relate to educational challenges. According to Bell, AAM accreditation demonstrates a commitment to outstanding stewardship, education, accountability, governance and transparency. Conner Prairie recently received re-accreditation in the spring, during which the accreditation commission commented that Conner Prairie is a model outdoor living history museum, and serves as an exemplar for its peers and is blazing new directions for outdoor living history museums, creating experiences that effectively engage visitors. The Commission also commended Conner Prairie’s extraordinary progress in recent years in improving our financial position and completely reinventing our governance.
Newly installed president of the American Association of Museums Dr. Ford Bell is visiting the annual meeting of the Association of Indiana Museums to learn more about the needs of Hoosier museums and determine how AAM can support them, said Ellen M. Rosenthal, Conner Prairie's president and CEO. "He knows that several Indiana museums stand as national examples of innovation and positive impact on the cultural and educational lives of their community. We are particularly pleased by his interest in Conner Prairie, the site of the conference. Conner Prairie is widely recognized as a national, even international, trendsetter in programs and interpretive approach. We’ve bucked all the trends for outdoor history museums by showing significant increases in attendance and membership. He’s never been to Conner Prairie before and is eager to visit.
WHAT:
Association of Indiana Museums Annual Conference featuring keynote address by Dr. Ford Bell, president and CEO of the American Association of Museums.
WHEN:
Monday, August 25, 2008, 8:00 - 9:00 am.
Dr. Bell’s speech will begin at 8:15 am.
WHERE:
Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers
As Indiana continually works to economically empower its communities, museums provide a cultural grounding for residents and tourism dollars for the community. Over half of Indiana's museums operate on minimal budgets annually. The Association of Indiana Museums conference provides the closest and most applicable source of training and networking for Indiana's cultural workers. To increase the profile of Indiana museums AIM is developing plans for advocacy, targeting different relationship options for not just museum staff and volunteers, but also for college students in the arts and humanities; other, similar cultural organizations that share similar interests and concerns; and the general public that enjoys visiting Indiana's museums and wish like to know more about them.
About Dr. Bell:
American Association of Museums President & CEO, Ford Bell brings an impressive record of scholarship, community engagement, proven leadership and a passion for championing museums as places of lifelong learning and enjoyment. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a nonprofit executive, board chair, donor, trustee, educator and scientist. His career also extends from the humanities to the nonprofit worlds. He currently serves as chairman of the James Ford Bell Foundation and has been a trustee of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for nearly a decade.
Education has been a centerpiece of Mr. Bell’s life for nearly 40 years. A respected academic and researcher, he has lectured and published extensively. Mr. Bell’s many public service endeavors underscore his commitment to developing organizations and strengthening communities.
About Association of Indiana Museums:
Since, 1972, the Association of Indiana Museums mission is to serve and advance the museums of Indiana. For more information, www.indianamuseums.org
About Conner Prairie:
Conner Prairie, a nationally acclaimed outdoor history museum located at 13400 Allisonville Rd. in Fishers, Indiana, is in the greater Indianapolis area, six miles north of I-465. Conner Prairie is one of the most innovative and interactive outdoor history attractions in the nation. The institution continually inspires curiosity and fosters learning about Indiana’s past by providing engaging, individualized and unique experiences for our guests. With hundreds of scenic acres, more than 35 costumed residents and guides, 40 historic buildings and more than 100 farm animals, there is plenty to explore and discover. For information, call 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836 or log onto www.connerprairie.org to verify hours and admission costs for special events and programs, or to make reservations.
About American Association of Museums:
The American Association 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 more than 15,000 individual, 3,000 institutional and 300 corporate members, AAM is dedicated to ensuring that museums remain a vital part of the American landscape, connecting people with the greatest achievements of the human experience, past, present and future. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.
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