Last Tuesday, Sept 1st, we had the privilege of hearing from Michael Edson, Director of Web and New Media Strategies for the Smithsonian. The discussion was a fascinating analysis of digital media strategies currently being implemented at the Smithsonian, and an analysis of ways for cultural institutions to stay relevant online and off. So many wonderful cultural institutions participated.
I wanted to thank our attendees and follow-up the discussion by giving you the opportunity to reflect how you felt about Michael’s talk.
Did you agree with Michael? Did any topics really resonate with your own personal experience.
Were there any parts that you did not understand or would like to discuss further?
If you could ask Michael four more questions what would they be?
I hope we can continue an on-going dialogue on the challenges of implementing Web 2.0 technologies and strategic uses of digital media for cultural institutions. Hopefully we can answer each others questions and share our experiences together.
In today’s environment it is becoming increasingly important, if not critical, to find ways to stay relevant in a digital world.
I’d love to hear your ideas and facilitate a group discussion online.
We were so pleased that such a diverse group could make it – an aquarium, fine arts museums, science museum, Liberty ship, a church, history museums, national parks and so many more. We truly would like to hear each of your opinions since you come from such different environments.
Edson is such an eloquent advocate — really amazing…like a preacher! And what’s so good is that he gives you the tools, the empowerment to make change within your own institution!
Social Media does make it so easy. His cautions about value and transparency must inform each individual and institutions actions. And is so great to see people of Edson’s caliber in the non-profit sphere.
Ten years ago there was a challenge to the industry about where are tomorrow’s leaders. They’re here now.
What a great event. Thank you!
Thank you again for organizing this luncheon. I did enjoy Michael’s very energetic talk and it definitely got me thinking about my job in a different way. Some of the discussions within our institution over the last few days have been fueled by Michael’s way of thinking.
Keep up the good work.
I enjoyed meeting you all immensely, and thank you for your warm reception and supportive comments!
A few of you have asked for links to the Smithsonian Web and New Media Strategy: it’s at http://smithsonian-webstrategy.wikispaces.com
…and a footnoted and hyperlinked copy of a background talk i’ve given titled “Imagining a Smithsonian Commons” is on slideshare at http://www.slideshare.net/edsonm/cil-2009-michael-edson-text-version (there’s a PowerPoint and video version of this talk too)
Please let me know if you have any questions, or just want to talk strategy, and don’t hesitate to let me know how things are going in your own organizations!
This was an edifying conversation. Hearing Michael speak and in conversations I had with colleagues, it was reassuring in a strange way to hear others voice similar concerns with implementing new technologies and dealing with organizational change. I could see this become a regular thing.
I found it extremely valuable to hear Michael speak so candidly about the work he has been doing around the overwhelming process of developing the SI web and new media strategy. I still find the fact that his position was created–and his work supported at such a high institutional level–to be groundbreaking for our field.
The process itself that Michael has implemented is also groundbreaking. The fast, public, and transparent process used to develop the SI web and new media strategy is anathema to the very nature of most museums, and it’s so important that an institution as large and visible as the SI is doing this and setting an example for other museums. We need institutions like the SI to demonstrate that this is way we should all be approaching our strategic planning and thinking.
I think a workshop or conference session on what it takes to make this happen at other institutions would be fascinating and relevant to many types of institutions. I’d like to know what little things we can do at our own institutions to move towards the “disruptive innovations” that Michael spoke of.
Thank you to Guide by Cell and the Town & Country Club for hosting this event!
Hey Admin! Thanks, Forever web pages..
Do you ever feel like you need to get in touch with the universe/nature and if yes, how do you go about doing so?