The American Association for State and Local History has issued a call for proposals for its 2013 Annual Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, and they’ve got a really terrific theme. Here’s what they have to say: Birmingham is a city which has reoriented its history, inspiring …
We already mentioned that there’s going to be a terrific AASLH workshop in Boston in March; here are some more details to tempt you to sign up. The registration for AASLH’s Museum Education 101 workshop scheduled for March 15-16 in Boston, MA, is now open …
AASLH does workshops all over the country, and we’re lucky enough to have a terrific one right in our backyard this spring, and the other a short train ride away.
(They also have a great emerging professional scholarship program that you could use to attend one of these workshops. The catch is that the deadline has passed for this year’s applications, BUT you should keep it in mind for next year. Info at the bottom of this page.)
Here’s their text:
Museum Education 101
Dates: March 15-16, 2012
Location: Historic New England, Otis House, Boston, MA
Through interactive activities, hands-on training, and case studies, participants will learn about volunteer management, docent training, tour techniques, active learning with people of all ages, developing exhibits with visitors in mind, and online education. Participants will leave the workshop with information and materials they can take back to their institutions to adapt and use.
Cost: $280 members/$355 nonmembers
$20 discount if payment received by February 10Historic House Museum Issues and Operations
Dates: March 22-23, 2012
Location: Decatur House and Octagon House, Washington, DC
This workshop focuses on the unique needs, management, and interpretation of historic houses. With a focus on historic house museums, topics include collections care, types of research appropriate for historic house museums, exhibition development, interpretative tours, volunteers and building and landscape maintenance.
Cost: $250 members/$325 nonmembers
$20 discount if payment is received by February 17
First things first: What is StEPs? StEPS stands for Standards and Excellence Program [for History Organizations]. It’s organized by those marvelous folks at the AASLH (that’s American Association for State and Local History, in case you’re in a post-holiday stupor). I’ll let them describe it …
Copying this one right over from their newsletter; these all sound great and thanks to an IMLS grant they’re FREE. AASLH is able to offer the following webinar series free of charge with funding generously provided by an IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals grant. Register …
I’ve been recently informed about some really great professional development resources put together by the AASLH’s Professional Development committee that you’ll want to check out.
Basic overview is here: Careers for History Professionals
There’s a good (though short) bibliography, some good thoughtful information about public history education, and some questions to consider about your career path.
They also link to a great white paper called Museum Careers: Fit, Readiness, and Development. Presumably since you’re part of the Tufts community you already have an idea about the fit – but this paper does a good idea of presenting the realities of the museum job world and making suggestions about a way forward. It’s also current to early 2011, so apropos for the current economic climate.