Category Archives: Museum Community
Funeral Arangements for Past Board Member Jesse Fisher
Jesse Fisher, past AAAM board member from 2000 to 2008, passed away on Wednesday April 3, 2013, in Richmond, CA. Jesse was a loyal friend to AAAM and as well, to all of our members. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family. He will be missed.
Viewing will be held Wednesday, April 10th 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Rose Manor Funeral Home). Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 11th beginning at 11:00 am.
Mailings & flower arrangements can be sent to:
The Fisher Family
Rose Manor Funeral Home
3331 MacDonald Drive
Richmond, CA 94805
Home phone: 1-510-235-9143
Heinz History Center Internship Available
The Senator John Heinz History Center is currently accepting applications for a summer internship. The From Slavery to Freedom Project Intern will work under supervision of the Director for African American Programs on various research and administrative tasks related to the From Slavery to Freedom Project. The intern will have an opportunity to work on program development and research for this long-term museum exhibit. This will be a 14-week internship for an undergraduate or graduate student from May to August 2013 with a nominal stipend award. Any interested applicant should fill out an online internship application and submit a resume, course list, and one-page sample of writing. A full description of the internship opportunity is available online here.
New Job Postings
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture is seeking a Director of Marketing (DOM) responsible for increasing the visibility, awareness of, attendance at, and revenues from the museum and a Director of Development (DOD) responsible for all of the museum’s fundraising efforts with individuals, foundations, corporations, government, and special events. Visit AAAM’s career page to view and download the job descriptions and how to apply.
Take Part in the UNESCO Slave Route Project Survey
Survey on Sites, Places, Spaces, Routes of Memory and Legacies of the Slave Trade, Slavery, Resistance and Abolition
The UNESCO Slave Route Project International Seminar entitled Heritage, Identity, Education and Culture: management of historical sites related to the slave trade and slavery, was held August 20-24, 2012, in Brasilia, Brazil. The seminar brought together professionals who work with the promotion and preservation of sites of memory related to the slave trade and slavery in different parts of the world, including educators, cultural and tourism agents working with the topic and decision makers involved in the development of policies on this issue. The seminar’s main objective was to analyze best practices in this field and set clear guidelines for the development of a methodological guide, training modules and educational content to support the creation of “Itineraries of Memory” and innovative ways to strengthen the management capacity of these sites. The seminar’s participants also addressed opportunities for cooperation, implementation and promotion of African and African descent history and culture through an international network of sites of memory.
Within the framework of its implementation, the UNESCO Slave Route Project, in close cooperation with the Palmarès Cultural Foundation (the international seminar host) and the Route of Abolitions and Human Rights, aims at analyzing, thanks to a comparative study, the issues, perspectives, experiences and best management practices of sites and places of memory related to the slave trade and slavery in the world. To this extent, cultural managers (routes of memory, museum, memorial, cultural institution, etc.) are asked to take part in this survey which aims to provide an overview of their experiences and expertise, and to collect their offers in order to enhance the efficiency of initiatives in this field. Moreover, the survey results will also be very useful for the drafting of the methodological guidelines and training modules intended for the sector professionals, in order to improve the management of sites and places of memory related to slavery in the different areas of the world.
Please return this survey by March 22, 2013 to Philippe Pichot with a copy to Tabue Nguma.
Fellowships Available for AAM 2013 Conference
In years past, the American Alliance of Museums (AAM, formerly the American Association of Museums) has separately named and distributes Diversity Fellowships, resulting in a minimum of 25% of all AAM Fellows being of “diverse” backgrounds. This year all of the Fellowships (diversity, museum sector, and professional stage) are being pooled into a single fellowship program.
The Diversity Professional Network (DIVCOM) is working hard to spread the word about these fellowship and encourage diverse professionals across the field to apply! The Association of African American Museums, its members and member staff are valuable and necessary contributors to the museum field – and we should be represented at this conference! Please, spread the word and encourage people at all levels to apply.
AAM is the largest professional organization for the museum field and a leader in best practices, networking, new ideas, and professional development. The Annual Conference is their primary dissemination vehicle and the largest convening of museum professionals in the world. Let’s be sure AAAM and our museum professionals are represented.
Applications Now Being Accepted for 2013 AAM Annual Meeting Fellowships
The Diversity Committee (DivCom) and the American Alliance of Museums are committed to cultivating and developing diverse leaders in the field by providing financial assistance to attend the Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo. These fellowships provide access to professional development, networking and mentorship opportunities. Fellows have the opportunity to increase their knowledge of the field, meet with mentors for career advancement and learn about volunteer and leadership opportunities within the Alliance and networks such as DivCom to give back to the field.
Fellowships will provide a travel stipend, complimentary conference registration and event tickets. Eligibility requirements and the application process are now available online at: http://aam-us.org/events/annual-meeting/register/fellowships
Althemese Pemberton Barnes Appointed to the National Museum and Library Services Board
President Barack Obama announced the appointment of Althemese Pemberton Barnes as a Member of the National Museum and Library Services Board. The board is the advisory body for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and members are selected to serve based on their expertise and commitment to libraries or museums.
Althemese Pemberton Barnes is the Executive Director of the John G. Riley Museum, which she founded in 1996. In 1997, she established The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, a statewide professional museum association. She served in Florida’s Departments of Education and Labor as an Employment Counselor and Program Specialist, retiring in 1995. From 1965 to 1970, she was a music instructor in the Leon County Schools in Tallahassee, Florida. She has worked as a consultant on several oral history and cultural development projects, and directed the publication of historical books, heritage trail maps, guides, and documentaries. She is a member of the American Association of Museums, the Florida Heritage Foundation, the Florida Association of Museums, the Association of African American Museums, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Ms. Barnes received a B.S. and an M.S. from Florida A&M University.