Christopher Hibma

Don't miss our next Dreaming of AI webinar on June 6th at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET with Dr. Paul Fishwick. Dr. Fishwick will be presenting on the concept of deep looking, particularly within museum settings. Deep looking involves a methodical examination of our surroundings, enriched by practices such as Slow Art, Slow Looking (as advocated by Tishman), and Artful Thinking (as developed by Project Zero). These methodologies encourage a contemplative approach to observing art and artifacts, fostering inquiry into the objects we encounter daily. Such inquiry entails navigating an interface that connects these objects with various academic or school subjects. For instance, it may involve interpreting a museum artwork through lenses such as geology, information science, art history, or from a broader STEAM perspective. AI technologies play a pivotal role in facilitating this multidisciplinary perspective-taking process. https://lnkd.in/e82Jgntd #AI #musetech #museums #deeplooking #slowart #slowlooking #STEAM

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The digital "Sacred Service" launches today! https://lnkd.in/gN5z7Nyr This innovative online experience brings 11 artifacts of WWI chaplains directly to your screen, offering an intimate look at faith on the battlefield. With the interactive 3D models we've incorporated into the exhibition you can examine rare WWI chaplain artifacts up close -- from anywhere in the world. Rotate, zoom, and explore items like a chaplain's field Communion set or a trench crucifix in great detail. The exhibition "Sacred Service" goes beyond the typical war narrative, diving into the spiritual, mental, and emotional support chaplains provided to service members facing unimaginable challenges. In the physical space, National WWI Museum and Memorial has created a deeply moving experience that highlights the human -- and spiritual -- side of the Great War. This digital encounter provides a snippet (11 from the exhibit total of 200+ objects) of that physical exhibition. This content, unlike the physical exhibition, is free, accessible 24/7, and will live on long past the current physical exhibition's run. It doesn't take long to explore the items and view the exhibition; it was intentionally designed to be viewable and not exhaustive. It also doesn't take much time or many objects to get the story across -- the courage, faith, and humanity in times of conflict that these men provided is palpable through the artifacts that remain, even on screen.

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I was pleased to read Michael Paulson's piece that the beloved Soho Rep. will share space with Playwrights Horizons for the next few seasons. This follows Second Stage Theater's upcoming residency in my former home, Signature Theatre Company, after Second Stage left their own Off-Broadway home. Other examples abound, and, even if these decisions to share space or produce theatre with different relations to real estate are driven by financial need, kudos to those companies that are adopting new approaches. Seeing shows at Soho Rep's 65 seat space on Walker Street was *always* thrilling but, as Cynthia Flowers, Caleb Hammons, and Eric Ting, point out in an email to their community, "Soho Rep is not a building". In a piece by Brittani Samuel, Playwright's Artistic Director Adam Greenfield stated "Through partnership, through a real genuine collaboration where you’re opening yourself up to other ways of working and perspectives, and in doing so making yourself vulnerable, we are creating more possibilities for ourselves.” Somewhere along the way we have lost these principles. I can recite legitimate reasons why theatre companies choose to have their own space, but these decisions are often driven by equating growth with success, donor enthusiasm for contributing to building campaigns with naming opportunities, and organization ego. I've given these issues a great deal a thought based on my own experience of leading theatres that are real estate heavy, and put forward the following guidelines for theatre companies, and funders, particularly institutional ones, to consider: *Let's move towards newly build theatres housing multiple companies; *Funders--and theatre leadership--require that model as a condition of funding; *Rigorous testing of operating costs that are sustainable is necessary; *Let's build theatres that are welcoming and accessible. Greenfield asks, "How can I continue to produce really risk-taking work and encourage an audience’s generosity of heart towards that work” he chuckles, “in a building made of granite and terrazzo floors and glass?”; *Do we need to hire "starchitects"? How does that serve us? My high school built a new theatre. The students wanted to be involved in the the design, and were dismissed. They went ahead and put forward their rudimentary but thoughtful design. Guess what? The architects implemented their plan. Finally, any building campaign *must* include funding for artistic initiatives and, especially, artist compensation. Again, this component should be a condition of funding. The entire theatre ecosystem *must* lift up this standard. In short, in this moment, our approach to real estate is yet another significant area that requires new thinking and action. https://lnkd.in/ejdr_qEr https://lnkd.in/esQeKfS7

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This is an excellent and very accessible description of how quantitative audience research can help you better understand the differing needs and wants of your visitors. Highly recommend reading. #museums #artgallery #visitorengagement #visitorexperience #audienceresearch #marketresearch

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In case you missed the progress made during the Venice Biennale, journalist Louisa Buck shares her summary of developments from the visual arts sector taking creative climate action. JB is involved in the groundbreaking initiative centred around the Art Charter for Climate Action (ACCA). This agreement aligns the visual arts industry with the environmental goals of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the recent Hope Forum 2024 gathering, we took a monumental step forward. The ACCA Founding Alliance, which spearheaded the agreement, is now officially partnering with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), solidifying the visual arts sector's role in addressing the climate crisis. This partnership means that the ACCA will now serve as the visual arts pillar of UN Climate Change’s Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) alliance. This offers the visual arts sector a seat at the UN table, providing access to political influence, infrastructure, and the power to advocate for change. It's a significant milestone, confirming the visual arts as a serious force in tackling climate change. >>> https://lnkd.in/e2rYz_HN #CreativeClimateAction

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Resilience is inclusive

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We do our work to engage people with the idea of open futures. To support collaboration and to help them find their agency. Museums, which create futures exhibits know about what works and why. And so we brought back three of our guests to the pond to discuss this. In episode 192, Peter Hayward hosts Kristin Alford, Elizabeth Merritt and Maggie Greyson MDes, APF for a guests conversation. #futurepod #foresight #futures #futurist #futuresthinking #strategicforesight #futurestudies #futuresliteracy

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5 ways public art transforms communities (beyond just beautifying spaces). 1. Fosters social cohesion Art becomes a shared experience. It encourages people to connect with each other. Example: murals celebrating local history spark conversations. 2. Promotes inclusivity Diverse artists showcase different cultures. This builds understanding and acceptance. Example: public installations reflect neighborhood diversity. 3. Improves well-being Art brings pride and joy to residents. This leads to mental health benefits and reduced crime. Example: community gardens with sculptures create safe spaces. 4. Boosts local economies Revitalized areas attract businesses and tourists. This sparks economic growth and jobs. Example: art festivals draw visitors, benefiting local shops. 5. Strengthens connections Art gives people a sense of belonging. Residents feel more invested in their community. Example: interactive art projects invite participation. How have you seen art impact your local area? Urban Soul 都市艺魂 #Art #Community #UrbanSoul

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Just wrapped up two incredible conferences in Baltimore- the American Alliance of Museums and the MSA - Museum Store Association. 🖥 Firstly, if you missed my session on AI Essentials For Your Museum Store, you can find the resource list here: https://lnkd.in/ePQC4Brv 💃🏽 Secondly, yes, that was me dancing and swag surfin’ at the Port Discovery Children's Museum. My Puerto Rican roots might have been showing, but the dance floor is my favorite place to network. ❤️ This year’s topic of wellness encompassed products, staff, visitors, and the communities we partner with. My brain is buzzing with inspiration for museum stores that can both raise revenue and highlight mindfulness. Plus, I was able to catch up with old product partners and discovered amazing new vendors that left me waxing poetic. 🖼 Have you heard of neuroaesthetics? It's an interesting concept that explores the wellness benefits of the spaces we create using design, art, music, and more. Susan Magsamen, author of Your Brain on Art, shared the fascinating idea that we can universally appreciate a beautiful landscape but have differing reactions to manmade spaces. Now to see how I can turn my office space into the feeling of a mossy Northwest forest. ⏩ Plus, there were awesome sessions on failing forward (because let's face it, innovating takes some failure along the way) and the incredible partnerships museums & mission-driven organizations have with their communities. Feeling energized to help museum stores not only thrive but make a positive difference! #MuseumStore #RetailTherapy #CulturalCommerce

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Resilience; The undeniable reality of the now fascist majority in America, means we have an opportunity to build tools towards resilience. Looking at art and creativity from the last major rise of fascism in the 1st & 2nd World Wars is a source of lessons to navigate the current climate . The Bauhaus school and its global impact is a wonderful example of a creative movement in terms of practical day-to-day design that’s survived into every aspect of our lives. Born from the first world war and destroyed in the Second the Bauhaus survived so well that we barely notice its overwhelming influence. Here is a wonderfully challenging article from May this year that encourages critical thinking rather than a romantic view. Ultimately illustrating how it never went away, just adapted and then thrived. Something we may all need to learn from! 💪 https://lnkd.in/e8MVBygC

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In a time when democracy faces unprecedented challenges, the State Infrastructure Fund is a beacon of hope, channeling donor dollars and optimism into safeguarding democratic processes across the United States. Our latest article on Inside Philanthropy explores how this fund is strategically mobilizing resources to support state-level initiatives that protect and strengthen democracy. #SarahHenry reports: How the State Infrastructure Fund is addressing threats to democracy Strategic initiatives supported by the fund at the state level The role of donor collaboration in driving impactful change Tagging The Overbrook Foundation CENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY John P. and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation #DemocracyProtection #SocialImpact #StateInfrastructureFund #CivicEngagement #DemocraticResilience #DonorCollaboration #VotingRights #FairElections #DemocraticProcesses #PoliticalInfrastructure #DefendDemocracy #PhilanthropicImpact #InsidePhilanthropy #Philanthropy

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Raising funds for an election ... where did it start? An exploration of when US presidential fundraising began (1824), the first fundraisers, the methods & the first direct mail campaigns (in the 1960s with the first computerised CRMs) https://lnkd.in/ePUjD8yz #election #uselection #electionfundraising

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Despite Houston’s reputation for affordability, its Black residents are among the hardest pressed by gentrification. In a new report, Manann Donoghoe and I explore how community land trusts (CLT), non-profit organizations that purchase homes to expand and preserve affordable housing, and shared-equity organizations can help marginalized communities in places like Houston. There are tradeoffs with the CLT model. For example, it limits the total equity that an owner-occupier can accrue and the land itself always remains in trust, rather than transferring to the occupier. Nevertheless, CLTs provide an avenue for giving local community members, who are otherwise priced out of property ownership, a stake in neighborhood development. Read more: https://lnkd.in/etsUUZ6T #CommunityUplift #Housing #Innovation

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In today's digital age, where information is abundant and constantly evolving, the importance of preserving digital heritage cannot be overstated. From priceless historical documents to modern multimedia artworks, digital assets encapsulate our collective memory and cultural identity. However, these valuable resources are at risk of degradation, loss, or obsolescence without proper preservation techniques. Enter the Digital Preservation Fundamentals course—a comprehensive program designed to equip professionals with the essential skills and knowledge to safeguard digital assets for future generations. In this blog post, we'll delve into the course's core aspects and explore why it's a must-have for anyone involved in managing digital collections.

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One of our Virtual Worlds Museum advisors - Tom Boellstorff, just published an incredible book: Intellivision: How a Videogame System Battled Atari and Almost Bankrupted Barbie® Drawing on a wealth of data from both institutional and personal archives and over 150 interviews with programmers, engineers, executives, marketers, and designers, Boellstorff and Soderman examine the relationship between videogames and toys—an under-analyzed aspect of videogame history—and discuss the impact of home computing on the rise of videogames, the gendered implications of play and videogame design at Mattel, and the blurring of work and play in the early games industry. - https://a.co/d/er7T9oz

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Don't miss these upcoming Dreaming of AI webinars! Reimagining STEAM in Museums with AI June 6th at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET Dr. Paul Fishwick will be diving into the concept of deep looking, particularly within museum settings. Deep looking involves a methodical examination of our surroundings, enriched by practices such as Slow Art, Slow Looking (as advocated by Tishman), and Artful Thinking (as developed by Project Zero). These methodologies encourage a contemplative approach to observing art and artifacts, fostering inquiry into the objects we encounter daily. Such inquiry entails navigating an interface that connects these objects with various academic or school subjects. For instance, it may involve interpreting a museum artwork through lenses such as geology, information science, art history, or from a broader STEAM perspective. AI technologies play a pivotal role in facilitating this multidisciplinary perspective-taking process. Click Here to Register for Reimagining STEAM in Museums with AI: https://lnkd.in/e82Jgntd Revolutionizing Cultural Heritage: XR and Generative AI for Inclusive Engagement June 20th at 8 AM PT/11 AM ET Dr. James Hutson will discuss how Extended Reality (XR) and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) have emerged as transformative tools for preserving and disseminating cultural heritage. This webinar will navigate the confluence of XR and Generative AI technologies, shedding light on how they can be harnessed to break down barriers and create enriching, accessible experiences for diverse audiences. Participants will be introduced to cutting-edge case studies and practical examples where XR and Generative AI have been effectively implemented in cultural heritage settings. These examples will not only highlight the potential for enhanced audience engagement but also underscore the role of these technologies in preserving the intangible aspects of culture and heritage that are often lost in traditional preservation methods. Click Here to Register for Revolutionizing Cultural Heritage: XR and Generative AI for Inclusive Engagement: https://lnkd.in/eqV9Pc-F #musetech #AI #deeplooking #XR #GenAI #inclusiveengagement #museums

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Here's a review of GHOSTED for your information: https://lnkd.in/e_uCP_j4

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the results of the u.s election is still ringing in everyone’s ears, but what the possible consequences and impact on the arts will be, here and abroad are yet to unfold. a terrific insightful piece from David Pledger in ArtsHub earlier this month tracks the Americanisation of australias cultural infrastructure. can we hold the line and continue to advocate for a sustainable living wage for artists as an essential step forwards? “The arts play a key role in the health of a democracy – countless studies attest to this. Artists create the performing arts, visual arts and the literary arts. Without them, there are no other jobs in the arts, because there are no arts (other than heritage arts). So, in the arts sector, artists are essential workers. How do we protect the essential workers in the arts that are fundamental to the health of democracy?”

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