Outreach in Museums

Delighted to drop into the Canadian Art Gallery Educators symposium hosted at the Art Gallery of Ontario this weekend. Had a nibble with some new colleagues at FRANK Saturday night, and then returned Sunday for Lois Silverman's keynote. Lois's ideas about the social work of museums generated quite a bit of discussion later in the day, which continued on Monday during the rather impromptu Session X.  Delegates had agreed on 'museum outreach' as the topic of session, a crucial issue for museologists, whether art gallery educators, curators, interpreters or even those hiring staff, building boards, or raising funds. We're seeking an model of programming and work environment into which new ideas can integrate, but we recognize that if identity is a work in progress then we must tolerate a constant zone of discomfort - not just accept it as normal, but also welcome it as a sign we're doing well!