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Museums: I understand you& #39;re in a panic, but take a deep breath. If you mattered before, you will still matter in the future. The form may need to change, but lean into your purpose. (1/9)
We don& #39;t know what people will feel comfortable with in the future. Interactives? We don& #39;t know. In six months people probably won& #39;t want to touch. But in five years, we may be hungry for touch. We don& #39;t know. (2/9)
But if your existential purpose is clear and it& #39;s meaningful to people now, it will be again. If you tell a story that inspires action now, it will in the future. If you serve your community, your community will need you again. (3/9)
On the other hand, if your mission is unfocused or meaningless beyond your walls, you& #39;re in trouble. "Collect, Preserve, Interpret" doesn& #39;t cut it. If you don& #39;t know why you exist, figure that out fast. (4/9)
Examples of clarity: "Never Again" at the USHMM, "...to save wildlife" at the Minnesota Zoo, (5/9)
"...reshape our community so that it is welcoming, inclusive, connected, creative, healthy and productive..." for Rondo Center for Diverse Expression. (6/9)
Those statements define your "why." The form follows that function. Maybe you do close your doors and go entirely online. Maybe you move your programs outdoors. (7/9)
I& #39;m talking about long-term planning. Of course you have to get through the next couple of years first. But your members and funders and visitors are more likely to support a place that is purposeful and has a vision for the future. That has meaning to them. (8/9)
