Want More Volunteers? Start With Your Website
If you’re relying on social media to recruit volunteers, you may be missing the bigger opportunity. Research shows that museum websites—where missions, roles, and impact are clearly explained—are far more likely to convert interest into commitment. Here’s what small museums can learn.
#KHFKudos
#KHFKudos to volunteer Linda at the Cincinnati Museum Center! With warmth and confidence, she invited us to a free Union Station tour—an offering we hadn’t even seen online. Her initiative and knowledge created a memorable experience, showcasing the power of volunteers in shaping visitor engagement and museum connections.
#KHFKudos #CincinnatiMuseumCenter #MuseumVolunteers #VisitorExperience #AASLH2025 #UnionStation #ArtDeco…
#KHFKudos
#KHFKudos to the American Sign Museum! Their commitment to accessibility and transparency shines—both online and onsite. From multilingual guides and braille materials to open-view workspaces and creative touches like selling “retired lightbulbs” in the gift shop, the museum seamlessly blends inclusivity, innovation, and delight into every visitor experience.
#KHFKudos #AmericanSignMuseum #MuseumAccessibility #InclusiveMuseums #AASLH2025 #MuseumInnovation #AccessibilityInAction…
Recognizing the Need, KultureCity
Creating inclusive museum experiences means more than just good intentions—it requires the right tools, training, and awareness. In this post, I share a powerful story from a volunteer whose family experienced exceptional care at a sensory-inclusive event, thanks to KultureCity. This nonprofit trains public-facing staff to support guests with sensory needs and provides sensory bags,…
Take a Seat
As a history museum professional, visiting art museums offers a refreshing shift in perspective—and often, a place to sit. Unlike many history museums that encourage continuous movement, art museums invite visitors to slow down, reflect, and engage deeply. One standout example? The Minneapolis Institute of Art offers free, portable stools to enhance comfort and accessibility…
Making Sense of Spaghetti
In small museums, leadership can feel like a tangled bowl of spaghetti—confusing, overlapping, and hard to follow. Who’s actually in charge? Is it the board, a foundation, the government, or all of the above? This post walks you through how to identify key players, analyze governing documents, and create a clear leadership map to clarify…
Passionate Programming
Burnout is real—especially when you’re always teaching what’s expected, not what excites you. One of the most powerful shifts in my museum education career came when I designed a program rooted in my own curiosity. It still aligned with our mission, but this time, I cared—and that changed everything. In this post, I explore how…
OMG, It Has Lead!
Lead is a hidden hazard in many museum collections—found in everything from antique toys to painted finishes. While mid-size museums often have protocols in place, small and volunteer-run institutions may be unaware of the risks or how to manage them. This post explores how lead enters the body, where it shows up in artifacts, and…
Reframing Your Visit
Visiting museums as a museum professional can be tricky. It’s hard to turn off the inner critic—we notice every label typo, lighting issue, and design flaw. But those visits also offer sparks of inspiration, fresh ideas, and reminders of why we do this work. In this post, I share how I’ve learned to balance my…
Accidental Fundraisers
Fundraising is essential to museum sustainability, but not every fundraiser starts with a donation ask. Sometimes, the most successful efforts begin with a desire to serve. In this post, I share how a simple rummage sale—born from leftover craft supplies—evolved into an annual event that raised thousands and strengthened community ties. With no big campaign,…
Navigating Overstimulation in Post-COVID Museum Spaces
Post-pandemic, many museum visitors are finding once-familiar spaces overwhelming. From heightened noise sensitivity to anxiety triggered by crowds and lights, sensory overload is on the rise—and not just for neurodivergent individuals. As museums welcome back the public, it’s crucial to recognize how sensory-friendly design supports inclusion, comfort, and accessibility for all. This post explores common…
The Third Choice
Leadership often means facing tough choices with no perfect answers. At a recent lunch with fellow museum directors, one new leader shared a challenging situation, hoping for clarity. I offered three options: confront the issue directly, take the middle ground with policies and diplomacy, or—yes—do nothing. Each path has consequences, and none are easy. But…
Do You Have Volunteers or Volunteer Employees?
Every museum says it: “We couldn’t function without our volunteers.” But some rely on them so deeply, they wouldn’t exist without them. These essential individuals—volunteer employees—aren’t paid, yet their absence would halt operations. They lead tours, build exhibits, restore artifacts, and run programs. Despite their impact, they’re not classified as employees and receive no compensation…
PastPerfect vs. CatalogIt
Choosing a collections management system can feel overwhelming—especially when balancing reliability with modern needs. PastPerfect has long been a trusted favorite, offering comprehensive features and authority control. But for many museums today, CatalogIt’s cloud-based, mobile-friendly design offers a refreshing, user-friendly alternative. In this post, I break down the pros and cons of each platform, from…
Beyond the Exhibit
What happens to all the research behind an exhibit once it opens? After a recent museum conference, I began rethinking what counts as scholarly work. As museum professionals, we uncover rich histories, gather oral testimonies, and craft narratives—yet much of that research never leaves our files. Why not share it more broadly? This post explores…
Every Museum Matters
Why I’m Focusing on Small Museums ~ In a time of overwhelming loss and uncertainty, I’m choosing to focus where impact is still possible—small museums. These undervalued spaces face daily challenges that deserve real, practical support. This new blog series offers focused insights and mini-toolkits designed to help small museums solve everyday problems with clarity…
Kaleidoscope HF 