The four session tracks at the 2019 AASLH Annual Meeting in Philadelphia this August are designed to organize the conference content around our four institutional aspirations: history relevance, diversity and inclusion, stability and transparency, and creativity and experimentation. The tracks can also help you navigate the 90+ sessions as you decide which discussions fit your institutional or professional development goals.
Check out these highlights from the creative and experimental (CE) track:
Exploring Historic Themes and Contemporary Issues Through Modern Art
Thursday, August 29, 10:45 am
This session explores how organizations can address contemporary issues and historical themes through modern art installations. Glen Foerd on the Delaware has engaged artists to utilize the site’s natural, historical, and physical assets to create installations addressing climate change, poverty, and the diversification of historical narratives.
What Are YOU Waiting For? A Lightning Session of Ideas and Inspiration
Friday, August 30, 12:30 pm
This lightning session highlights inspirational work by organizations of all kinds and sizes. Eighteen recipients of the 2019 AASLH Leadership in History Awards will each share in four minutes why their project mattered, how it was innovative, and what challenges they overcame, providing a potpourri of ideas to spark any organization.
Changing the Narrative: Interpreting Difficult Topics Using Dialogic Principles
Friday, August 30, 12:30 pm
Do you find that you are unable to interpret difficult topics at your site due to fear of push-back from your board, volunteers, or the public? In this session, you will meet panelists from three institutions who have taken this step. Hear about strategies, tips, and lessons learned.
Shark Tank: Pitching New Ideas for Sites and Museums
Friday, August 30, 4 pm
Inventive colleagues from across the country will pitch experimental and audacious ideas to our team of “sharks,” who are rich in experience and opinions, albeit lacking in investment dollars. The resulting dialogue will strengthen the ideas, the audience will be invited to participate, and something great will be born.
Why Wait for Feedback? Approaches to Testing Ideas and Getting Immediate Audience Input
Saturday, August 31, 10:30 am
What if we didn’t wait to bring in real visitors to test ideas for exhibitions and programming? Three history institutions ran different types of prototyping processes to get visitor feedback during project planning. They’ll share promises and pitfalls of their varying approaches, and ask for your stories and suggestions.
Want to explore more? Check out the Preliminary Program.
Ready to commit? Register for #AASLH2019.
