| In recent years, museum professionals have begun to address the importance of their commitment to providing opportunities for lifelong learning. Among those who have strongly encouraged museums to develop infrastructures for learning across the lifespan is Beverly Sheppard, the Acting Director of the Institute for Museum and Library Science (IMLS). Sheppard explains that museums, and libraries, are central for promoting lifelong learning because "throughout their history both institutions have been deeply engaged in the critical work of creating and serving learners." Sheppard argues that the need for museums to provide opportunities for lifelong learning is particularly important at the present time. |
Owing to the 21st century's "bewildering mix of opportunity, uncertainty, challenge and change," she believes that museums must "conceive a new means to provide access to their resources and awareness of their roles in a learning society." As Sheppard sees it, "access to learning across a lifetime may become among the essential civil rights of the 21st century."
Inspired by Sheppard's call to action, the theme of the Annual Conference of the New York City Museum Educators Roundtable (NYCMER) is Innovative Approaches to Learning Across the Lifespan. This one-day conference will focus on strategies and opportunities for successfully engaging museum audiences of all ages. In panel or workshop format, conference sessions will explore program content and teaching methodologies that respond to and anticipate the changing needs of our visitor communities. We are currently seeking proposals for sessions that will permit attendees to explore, learn, gain new insight, participate and share their own experiences. NYCMER encourages submissions from those who have created successful community collaborations, developed online and mobile exhibitions, and sustained long-term relationships with underserved communities.
Consider the following as you prepare your proposal:
Panel presentations and hands-on workshop sessions should provide professionals at all stages of their careers with relevant applications. Sessions are expected to accommodate approximately 50 participants for a 90-minute program.
Questions may be directed to Laura Joseph, NYCMER Conference Chair at (212) 833-7895. Proposals should be submitted by Monday, February 23, 2004 with presenters' bios of no more than 25 words:
Mail:Laura Joseph, Program Manager, Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 550 Madison Avenue Annex, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10022
Fax: (212) 833-4445
Email:laura_joseph@sonyusa.com
The proposal will also be made available at www.nycmer.org. Proposal receipt will be confirmed via email on Tuesday, February 24, 2004.
Session topics may address design for accessibility, evaluation, exhibit and program development, funding, public relations, staff development and technology in relation to lifelong learning for new, emergent or dedicated audiences of various ages. Consider the following as you develop your proposal.
| Design for Accessibility | How have you addressed universal accessibility principles and individuals' different needs? |
| Evaluation | What kinds of evaluation techniques have you employed? How have you used your findings? |
| Exhibit and Program Development | What approaches have you used in the development of exhibit and program content? |
| Funding | How have internal and external resources been used creatively in exhibit and program development? What unique or untapped resources have been explored? |
| Public Relations | What means and strategies have you used to market exhibits and programs? |
| Staff Development | How is the commitment to lifelong learning reflected in current programs for staff development? |
| Technology | How have you used technology in communication, research, exhibitions and programs? |