Museum Samplers

The Minnesota Association of Museums (MAM) hosts monthly Samplers, free get-togethers for people working at Minnesota museums. Samplers are great opportunities for museum professionals and volunteers to visit other sites and find out what their colleagues are up to. A formal program is balanced with time to socialize- usually with treats!

To receive regular Sampler notifications, be sure to sign up with the MAM listserv.

Would you like to host a Sampler? Contact Peter Olson at polson@mcm.org

Upcoming Samplers

Thursday, September 25
3:30 to 5:00 PM
Arcola Mills
12905 Arcola Trail North
Stillwater, MN 55082

Please join MAM for this unique opportunity to see beautiful Arcola Mills, just north of Stillwater on the St. Croix River. Arcola Mills Historic Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on four core ideas: history, the arts, the environment, and spiritual renewal. Enjoy an exclusive tour of the house and grounds. Come for an Arcola history lesson, hear about their use of green technology and geothermal energy . . . and stay for canoeing on the St. Croix!

Please arrive promptly at 3:30 p.m. Time for socializing and treats will be provided.

Past Samplers

2008 Annual Meeting

Monday, May 19
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"Mix & Match: Minnesota Museums Collaborate"
Continuing Education and Conference Center
University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus

Cathy Wurzer

Keynote Speaker: Cathy Wurzer, host of Morning Edition on Minnesota Public Radio

The 2008 Minnesota Association of Museums Annual Meeting will highlight collaboration in Minnesota museums. Minnesota museums often create programs and exhibits together with individuals and groups from outside their institutions. Collaborators may be visual artists, scientists, documentary film makers, performing artists, writers, craftspeople, librarians and social scientists, not to mention other museums. Organizations small and large leverage both audiences and creative energy with cross-disciplinary activity. The result is often a boost to the museum’s mission, but there can also be challenges to choosing partners and negotiating relationships. This meeting is open to all interested participants.

Minnesota museums “play well with others,” creating programs and exhibits together with individuals and groups from outside their institutions. Collaborators include artists, scientists, filmmakers, writers, librarians and scholars, not to mention other museums. Cross-disciplinary activity helps organizations small and large leverage audiences and creative energy. How do you boost your museum’s mission, choose partners and negotiate relationships?

After-Conference Mixer

Monday May 19 at 4:45 - 7PM
Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life
2097 West Larpenteur Avenue, Falcon Heights

The Gibbs Museum and Minnesota Association of Museums (MAM) invite you to an informal get-together open to all. Enjoy wine, beer, light hors d'oeuvres and homemade ice cream along with the company of your colleagues, all while taking in the history and beauty of the Gibbs Museum. If weather permits, grab a glass of wine and head outside on a guided stroll through the unique Gibbs Heritage Orchard in bloom and other historic Dakotah and pioneer sites. This is a great opportunity to continue the collaborative discussions started during the day at the 2008 MAM Meeting. (The Mixer is also open to museum professionals and volunteers not attending the meeting)

The Gibbs Museum is less than 1 mile from the conference site. From the CECC parking lot (Lot S-104), go west on Buford Avenue. Take a right on Cleveland Avenue (travel north). After crossing Larpenteur Avenue, take the first left into the Gibbs Museum parking lot. Directions

Free parking! Go to the Red Barn to check-in.

Admission: $10 for MAM members; $15 for non-members.

Please sign up in advance by calling Peter Olson at 651-225-6037, or e-mail polson@mcm.org. Cash and checks will be accepted at the event.