1. In a world without borders, is the world itself our community? Should it include the new virtual community of people everywhere interested in our information and collections?
Of course! For whatever reason, the idea of a world without borders makes me focus on rural communities and small towns -- aka, 98% of the American landscape, full of communities whose local resources may not be equipped to provide the arts and cultural opportunities of minority metropolian areas. The question is not whether we should include "people everywhere" in our strategic planning; it's how we can do so effectively - who exactly will use it? How will they find these resources?
Can connecting better help us make a greater impact on people’s lives and on communities around the globe where our visitors live, work and play? Can it make us more socially responsible institutions?
That's a veeeery interesting concept: the socially responsible institution. One who is transparent, accountable, and community-focused in terms of its programming and exhibitions, I presume? I think realistically, the impact of an arts organization is dependent on its partnerships and the meaningful connections it attempts to forget within its local community. What a wonderful idea. What a difficult goal, however, unless the board of directors and museum staff happen to be fully committed to the idea of a democratic museum. To me, socially responsible means that curators alone do not drive programming, like captains of the yacht; if the city's art museum board consists of the five richest families in town, that information needs to be accessible on the museum's website.
Can our new connectedness lead to better business models to sustain our institutions? The Internet and social networks offer small and remote museums the opportunity to increase their reach and impact. How can we help make that happen more broadly?
I certainly hope so - there are so many practical and liberating professional applications for social networking, yet in every office I've worked in, the wonders of Microsoft Office and Adobe are still a complete mystery. Training and resources are the first step.
How should we balance local needs and concerns with the potential to develop new international audiences of members and donors?
Ooh, tough one.
From an institutional perspective, what lessons can we learn from our colleagues abroad? Which operational models should we emulate? What are the models of transnational partnerships that can work for our museums?
Let's look at the UK! They do everything so bloody well.
Does diversity take on a new, more urgent meaning in an interconnected world?
It does, but I need to go to lunch now.
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