The hottest Museum Substack posts right now

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Writing and reading serve as powerful tools during tough times, providing companionship, creativity, and a way to connect with oneself and others.
The importance of free access to art and culture, as demonstrated by the St. Louis Art Museum's commitment to being free for all, supported by voluntary contributions and public funding.

Encountering artists that grant permission to be true to oneself is powerful.
Redefining 'work' as a sense of purpose, like Rita Deanin Abbey did, can be a bold and pragmatic choice.
Abbey's creation of her own museum challenges conventional gender roles and inspires self-trust and empowerment.

Growing up with popular Van Gogh images led to a challenge in appreciating his work beyond commercialization.
Visiting the Van Gogh museum sparked early memories of Van Gogh's less famous paintings.
Van Gogh's art reflects his life and struggles, inspiring creativity and passion despite adversities.

Tabitha Arnold's first solo exhibition titled 'The People's Cathedral' is opening at the Workers Art and Heritage Centre in Hamilton, Ontario.
The exhibition focuses on labor history as portrayed in art and craft objects, aligning with Arnold's textile practice that gained popularity during the 2020 lockdown.
Arnold will be engaging with diverse worker's rights movements in Hamilton, including leading workshops and discussions with various groups.

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The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performs on historical instruments or faithful replicas, bringing a unique sound experience to their chamber music gigs in London pubs
The Musical Museum in Brentford houses a remarkable 1929 Mighty Wurlitzer Cinema Organ, a rare piece used for silent films and currently looking for crowdfunding to avoid closure
Exploring London's historical musical instruments offers a glimpse into the city's rich musical past and the unique experiences these instruments can provide

Museums like the AMNH play a vital role in preserving collections that help us understand the biodiversity and evolutionary history of life on Earth.
Ethical collecting practices are crucial in the field, with a focus on forming partnerships and collaborations to ensure clarity and responsibility in specimen collection.
Informal science education at museums, such as the AMNH, provides a unique platform for inspiring curiosity, understanding the scientific process, and addressing important issues like climate change to the public.

Ralph Baer invented the first home video game console called the Magnavox Odyssey with twelve simple games.
Atari founder Nolan Bushnell was inspired by the Odyssey to create Pong for arcades.
Ralph Baer continued inventing and working at 89 years old because he found joy in creating and had a need for a challenge.

The proposal suggests a shift in museum operations to adapt to Silicon Valley's technological influence, recommending initiatives like a museum-anchored culture incubator.
The document highlights the importance of considering future audience investments to ensure long-term financial health of museums.
New administrative roles and organizational changes are recommended to enhance visitor experiences and transparency within the museum.