Calling all Students!  Enter our second “My Intentional Practice” blog competition

Intentional Museum is happy to announce its second student blogging competition!  We believe thattomorrow’s museum professionals will shape and change the field through their unique perspectives and new ideas, and, because of that; there is a lot we can learn from students.  New voices keep us on our toes and encourage us to consider alternate viewpoints.

We think a lot about intentional practice and would like to hear how students think about intentional practice and the impact it can have on the visitor experience.  To that end, we ask that you reflect on the following question: Through your intentional practice, how do you help museums enrich the lives of others?

Perhaps you find joy in drafting a collections care plan, ensuring that objects and artifacts are around for many generations.  Maybe you spend your time thinking about how museums can better use digital opportunities or social media to expand their reach beyond the traditional walls.  From museum education to exhibitions, visitor services to administration, regardless of your focus, we want to hear from you.  We often reflect on our professional experiences on Intentional Museum, but we appreciate the personal connection.  We want your blogs to tell a story, to speak about your experience, and to highlight your unique insight into the museum field.

Guidelines:
·         Bloggers must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree or certificate program and have an interest in museum practice.

·         Blogs should be no longer than 500 words and written in a conversational style.  Avoid jargon and academic language to ensure clarity.

·         You are welcome to share how the work of others has influenced your practice, but this isn’t required.  If you include quotes, be sure to include citations.

·         We have no idea what the winning blogs will look like – if you look through our past posts, you will see we tell stories, share academic insights, and sometimes we are funny.  We want to hear your story, so let your passion show.

·         Check your work carefully for spelling and accuracy.  While no one is perfect, winning blogs will be error free.

·         Email your entry to craig@randikorn.com <mailto:craig@randikorn.com> by5:00pm (EST), Friday, March 13, 2015.

RK&A staff will review all entries and publish the top one or two responses on the Intentional Museum blog.  Winners will be notified and announced at the end of March.  Winning blog posts will be shared with our readers in April and May 2015.  Winners will also receive a copy of one of our favorite museum books, Stephen Weil’s Making Museums Matter, with a personalized note from Randi.

How to Enter:
·         One (1) entry per blogger, please.

·         Send your blog as a Word document attached to an email.

·         Include your name, school, degree program and expected graduation date in the body of the email, with the subject line “Intentional Museum Blog Competition.”

·         Please do not include your name/identifying information as a header to your blog entry.  Each entry will be assigned a number to ensure unbiased review.

·         Email your entry to craig@randikorn.com <mailto:craig@randikorn.com> by5:00pm (EST), Friday, March 13, 2015.


Other Important Information:
·         RK&A reserves the right to edit winning blog entries for content and length.

·         Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond with their contact information for book delivery.

·         Books will only be mailed to those in the United States and will be sent via the US Postal Service no later than May 1, 2015.

·         If a winner does not respond in the allotted timeframe, an alternate winner will take his/her place.

·         Winners will be asked to submit a picture of themselves for publication with their blog.

Still have questions?  Contact us at craig@randikorn.com <mailto:craig@randikorn.com> , or ask in the blog comments!

Emily Craig, Research Associate, RK&A

Learn with us:
On our Website: www.randikorn.com <http://www.randikorn.com/>
On Twitter: @IntentionalMuse <www.twitter.com/IntentionalMuse>
On our blog: www.intentionalmuseum.com <http://intentionalmuseum.com/>

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