Inspiration? My top 10 at the BCMA.

Oh to be inspired. What is it that drives us to succeed? Sometimes, but only sometimes, I find myself so fully absorbed in a project that I get giddy. It is exciting to realize that the day went by and I didn't spend any time on facebook/twitter/linkdin/cbc.ca/bbc/, etc., etc.....

I've spent an inspiring week at the British Columbia Museums Association conference in beautiful Nanaimo, BC.  I've reconnected, met new people and gained some incredible insights.

My top ten - well lets start with 5.  I'll add more next post:
10) Enjoying fantastic conversations with new and old friends.  Cumberland, Langley, Penticton, Wells, Victoria, Vancouver, Richmond, Port Moody, New Westminster, Kamloops ... I salute you.
9) Plenary A:  Nina Simon.  Talk about inspirational!  She spoke of the 'participatory' museum where people actively use the museum and contribute to it's essence (www.museumtwo.blogspot.com).  I would add to this by saying that we need to begin encouraging local communities and neighbourhoods to use the museum as their meeting place, as their place of refuge, as the place where communities are strengthened through a common discourse and cultural ownership.  Museums are perfect places for this.  Lets get the communities to curate exhibits, organize speakers series and be full partners in cultural/artistic events.
8) Keynote:  Bob Janes (editor of Museum Management and Curatorship) and Jacqueline Gijssen (senior Cultural Planner in Vancouver).  Along the lines of (9) but at a deeper, more philosophical level where the museum drives change and contributes to positive change from the local to the global.  They spoke of the need for organizational change at the social level that can only occur when we choose to change our world view from that of being.  Museums are more influential then the public (and us museum professionals) realize. Museums tell stories of who we are.  Without even realizing it, their discourse moves towards hegemony of storytelling ... who else is telling our stories in a publicly sanctioned way apart from (often) segregated cultural groups.  But museums are often parochial, white, regressive and uninspiring.  We (the museum professionals) need to look beyond our 'mandated' areas to see the wider picture, the big bad world.  That is where the inspiration comes from.  That is where change occurs ... when we tackle the big issues and bring them down to a level where people can understand, be motivated, take responsibility and give.
7) Vancouver Police Museum.  Lets just say that I'm impressed with what Chris has done and is doing.  www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca
6) Cumberland Museum.  Ummm, can anyone say labour history?  We need more like you.  (overheard in a pub:  "We need to unionize more museums").  What do you say, comrade?
5) Well that's about it now.... more next post.