I’m a sucker for any story that depicts a “triumph of the human spirit.” I succumb to that feeling of my throat getting tight, my lower lip trembling, eyes welling with tears as I listen to someone recount how they faced insurmountable challenge, but found the strength and support to overcome adversity. Those tales of creativity and strength and love and commitment just get me every time.

In 2009, the IMA was awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In order to offer a more personalized view of each institution receiving the award, IMLS partnered with a non-profit group called StoryCorps. If you’ve tuned into WFYI in the mornings, you may have heard some of the three minute interview segments that have been recorded by StoryCorps staff across the country.

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Education, Interviews, Local

It’s a big day! The IMA was just named one of the 10 recipients of the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Services, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar nominated the Museum about which he said, “The IMA provides the Indianapolis community with valuable arts programming, education and many special exhibitions through the exploration of art, design, and the natural environment. It is truly a treasure in Indianapolis and very deserving of this prestigious honor.”

The annual award presented by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) since 1994, recognizes institutions for outstanding social, educational, environmental, or economic contributions to their communities. According to IMLS Director Anne-Imelda M. Radice, the IMA was selected for the award based on the Museum’s “exemplary programs (that) respond to community challenges, positively impact people’s lives, and serve as models for the nation’s museums.”

National Medal for Museum and Library Service

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Art, Current Events, Musings

Last week a few of us ventured to San Francisco for the kickoff meeting of Steve in Action, a new IMLS grant aimed at creating usable tools for social tagging in museums.  This grant is a logical extension to the previous IMLS research project which focused on the usefulness of social tagging in museums (which it is).

Developing Steve User Personae

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: Technology