Category: Uncategorized
-
I don’t know where to start
When people ask me: “What’s going on at DHV?” my standard reply has become: “Where do you want me to start?” It’s partly a joke, and partly a way to gauge what they’re actually interested in (or if they’re just being polite) and partly the honest truth: I just don’t know where to start.…
-
Of Beer and Neighbors: Welcoming Four Corners Brewing to the Cedars
On Friday, I had the most meaningful beer I’ve ever had. Most of you know what’s happening in the Cedars. Back in 2014, a lot of major buildings on Ervay (one of DHV’s borders) changed hands–with significant redevelopment plans. Promises were made with projected opening dates of 2016. All of those buildings remain quiet for…
-
Variations on a Theme: African American History at 3 Museums
About 30 minutes into the tour, my parents started giving me the side eye. That look that says “Why on earth did you think this would be a good idea?” and “How much longer must we suffer?” I avoided their gaze. I wasn’t too thrilled either. We were at the Whitney Plantation, just outside of…
-
A short lesson on bonds
Usually, bond packages aren’t the spark of lively internet conversations. But a few things on the proposed November bond package (namely Fair Park) are causing quite a stir. Without weighing in too heavily on one side or the other of the Great Fair Park Debate (I feel like I’ve done that here and here), I…
-
Step by Step: Neighborhood Redevelopment
In the last few months, my work has taken a surprising turn. I’m having meetings about things that I don’t think most history museum directors ever dream about. People are approaching us with some pretty incredible ideas–ideas that have made my jaw drop and my mind whirl. After about the third time, I started thinking…
-
Dramatic Inspiration: Innovative theater and museums
A few days ago, I saw a play that made me think a lot about museums. And though the story was incredibly powerful, I kept thinking about how they told it–and the implications for museums that are still wrestling with curatorial authority. I’ve had season tickets to the Dallas Theater Center since 2014–it was one…
-
The Long Game: Early Childhood Learning at Museums
Sometimes, we forget that museum education is a long game. Next month, I’ll celebrate my 13th anniversary at DHV–and I’m still working on something that I first thought about on Day 2. When I started in March 2004, I was able to shadow my predecessor for a few days. I remember asking her “Have you…
-
My New Mantra
After my initial shock about the results of the election wore off, one of my first thoughts was that my job was going to get a lot harder. And sure enough, the idea of eliminating the NEA and NEH was put forward pretty quickly. I’m still waiting to see how changes to HUD and other…
-
My Year in Books
Since 2001 (holy crap–that’s 15 years!), I’ve kept a reading journal. 2001 was the year I graduated college, so it flows through that last year at Hendrix, into grad school, early working years, furlough years and now the executive director years. Most likely, I’ll never again hit the highs of 2001 (116 books), aided in…
Prycer Consulting 