2019 SMT Center Annual Awards

At the 2019 SMT (Science, Math, and Technology) Center Annual Awards Banquet, Dr. Sam Houston gave the professors, researchers, industry leaders,  educators, students, and museum professionals in attendance a homework assignment. Dr. Houston asked us to pick up and read a copy of imagination first, unlocking the power of possibility, authored by Erci Liu and Scott Noppe-Brandon.

Dr. Houston added that "when imagination becomes a habit, it can transform your work and your life."

 imagination first, unlocking the power of possibility  is a quick read, filled with illustrative stories from creative leaders, educators, artists, and scientists to illustrate how to bring imagination to life. We all know that imagination is the root of what we want to convey to our guests in the museum. Imagination plays a role in the making the effort that a participant put into visiting or being a part of a program long after they have left the parking lot. Imagination leads to questions. Questions lead to research. Research leads to problem solving and creativity.

imagination first, unlocking the power of possibility  is certainly worth your time. See link to purchase:

https://www.amazon.com/Imagination-First-Unlocking-Power-Possibility/dp/1118013689/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=imagination+first&qid=1579188877&sr=8-1

Awards presented each year include:

• Partnership Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
• Business and Industry Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
• Champion of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Award
• Outstanding Informal Educator Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
• Outstanding K-8 Educator Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
• Outstanding 9-16 Educator Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
• Student Leadership Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
• Outstanding Instructional Leader Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
• Presidential Award Winner

Upcoming Artist Lectures at Central Piedmont Community College

Structure and Void

Artist Richard Elaver

Exhibition Dates: January 13 – March 12, 2020 - Overcash Gallery

Artist Lecture : Thursday, January 30, 3:30 p.m. – Tate Hall, Overcash Center, Centra Campus, Central Piedmont Community College

Opening Reception: Thursday, January 30, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Overcash Gallery, Overcash Center, Centra Campus, Central Piedmont Community College

Richard Elaver is a designer and metalsmith working in the overlapping spheres of art, design, and technology. In his work, Elaver integrates the tools of industrial design with the craft of metalsmithing. He develops computer simulations of biological phenomena, and uses them to create design objects. Elaver received his Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and his MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art. In 2006, he completed a Fulbright Fellowship in the Netherlands where he worked with Droog Design. Following several years of professional experience both as a jeweler and industrial designer, he is now an Assistant Professor of Industrial Design at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.  

I Am My Things and My Things Are Me

Artist Allison Tierney

 Exhibition Dates: January 13 – March 12, 2020 - Ross Gallery

Artist Lecture: Wednesday, February 5, 3:30 p.m. – Tate Hall, Overcash Center, Centra Campus, Central Piedmont Community College

Opening Reception: Wednesday, February 5, 5:00 p.m. – Ross Gallery,  Overcash Center, Centra Campus, Central Piedmont Community College

Allison Tierney (b. 1987, Charleston SC) is a visual artist living and
working in Chapel Hill, NC. She received her BFA from Winthrop University and
her MFA from UNC Chapel Hill where she won the Top Prize for Outstanding
MFA Work. She is one of six founding members of Subverbal Art Collective and
has exhibited work throughout the southeast. Her work can be viewed as two
distinct but closely related bodies. One body relying heavily on painting and the
history of abstraction to respond to found objects while the other employs the
techniques of various crafts as a means to discover personal identity, to
comment on consumerism, and to investigate the divide between craft and art.  

In October 2019, Edith Brady from the High Point Museum and Christian Edwards from the North Carolina Collection Gallery made a two-day visit to the Iredell Museums as part of the NCMC Free On-Site Consultation Service.  Edith and Christian met with the Iredell Museums Manager, Emily Baker and Programs Coordinator Haylee Reed, as well as two Museum Board Members and toured the Iredell Museums downtown location then the Gregory Creek Homestead featuring historic structures.  Out of a list of the six consultation topics, the Iredell Museums requested assistance with Administration of Facility and Collections Management.  Edith and Christian spent a full day touring the museum exhibition area, gallery, and collections facilities and talking with staff and board members about current methods and procedures.  The second day of the consultation was focused on continuing the conversation regarding current methods, providing initial feedback, and reviewing any needs, questions, or concerns that could be addressed in the final FOCoS report . 

Overall the visit was great and we were very impressed with the Iredell Museums.  The organization has an impressive artifact collection with many interesting pieces.  The gallery space is very attractive and appealing.  Exhibits are well designed.  The Gregory Creek Homestead has a nice collection of historic buildings, providing opportunities for many living history-style demonstrations and programming.  Staff seem to be excited about the potential of the organization and eager to help it grow into its best self.  The two board members we met, Dawne Clark and Bradley Newton, seemed very enthusiastic and engaged.  While there are obvious challenges to overcome, like all of our museums, we are very excited about the future of this Museum and look forward to seeing how it develops over the next few years.

The application period for Harold T. Pinkett Student of Color Award is currently open! The Society of American Archivists’ (SAA) administers this award.

Established in 1993, this award recognizes and acknowledges graduate students of color, such as those of African, Asian, Latinx, or Native American descent, who,through scholastic and personal achievement, manifest an interest in becoming professional archivists and active members of the Society of American Archivists.

Up to two awards may be given during an awards cycle. Each recipient receives full complimentary registration and related expenses for hotel and travel to attend the SAA Annual Meeting during the year in which the award is received. In addition, each recipient receives a complimentary one-year membership in SAA.

The application deadline is February 28, 2020.

For more information on the scholarship, eligibility requirements and applicationinstructions, please visit:

https://www2.archivists.org/governance/handbook/section12-pinkett

The North Carolina Museums Council is receiving applications for the next round of our Free On-Site Consultation Services (FOCoS) until February 29, 2020.  FOCoS provides advice and guidance to small or emerging museums using the resources and expertise found in established museums around the state. As a result of FOCoS, not only do museums receive valuable feedback on their programs and operations, but the museum community and council are strengthened through the collaborative effort of professionals reaching out to share their knowledge of the field.

A two-person team of NCMC consultants is assigned to a selected qualifying site. Consultants visit and tour their assigned site over a two-day period and together offer professional advice, in the form of a written report, relating to needs specified as priorities by the recipient site.

For more information visit our website (ncmuseums.org/focos) or contact NCMC Vice-President, Christian Edwards.  Submissions are due February, 29, 2020 and the recipient will be announced at the NCMC annual conference and meeting in Rocky Mount in March.

Did you know that institutional members (Tier II and up) can have multiple staff members associated with their account?  When registering for the conference, this will help to streamline your registration process and your staff can register at the member rate.  Need to add staff members to your account?  Your institution's primary contact will need to login and do the following:

• Login to your account
• Select your profile name in the top right corner of the page
• Scroll down to "Bundle Summary"
• Select "Add Member" 
• Enter their information
  
  

The membership chair can also do this for you. Questions?  Please contact our Membership Chair at membership@ncmuseums.org.

Arts Across North Carolina

Eastern Region, North Carolina

Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection

October 26, 2019 - January 19, 2020

East Building, Meymandi Exhibition Gallery

North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC

https://ncartmuseum.org/exhibitions/view/39459

Piedmont Region, North Carolina

Coined in the South

October 10, 2019 - February 16, 2020

Mint Museum Uptown, Charlotte, NC

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CIlL1A9KXGZ1J_ESXqpuTwtEoKWEGg5xwrNjFPfdIRs/edit#

Western Region, North Carolina

Appalachia Now! An Interdisciplinary Survey of Contemporary Art in Southern Appalachia

November 14, 2019 - February 3, 2020

Asheville Museum of Art, Asheville, NC

https://www.ashevilleart.org/exhibitions/appalachia-now/

Megan Boisvert

MUSEUM 2.0

What is a museum? How do we define it? Why do we define it? Why do we work there? Should we define it? Are they still relevant?

Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14^th secretary of the Smithsonian stated in mid-September 2019 what he felt about the relevancy of museums, “however we define them, I believe that museums are more important now, at this time of change, than ever. We have an obligation to use our expertise and our platforms for the greater good.” (The Matter of Museums, Posted: 24 Sep 2019 04:50 AM PDT)

This and other contemporary thought on museums and our role as museum professionals can be found in Seema Rao’s weekly blog Museum 2.0. These short articles on our profession can serve you well in providing reference and structure to your passion in museums.

Karl McKinnon

A Major Reenactment at Historic Camden, SC

Revolutionary War Field Days will return to Historic Camden, SC on November 2 - 3, 2019 from 10 am to 3 pm with a battle each day at 1:30 pm. Revolutionary War Field Days at Camden have been held on the first full weekend of November since 1970. Hundreds of reenactors from across the country converge on the historic grounds to camp, battle, and celebrate over the weekend. Visitors view a battle each day, walk through the camps of the combatants and see demonstrations of Colonial crafts and skills. Colonial sutlers (merchants) and scholars giving talks about the war are on site as well. Almost 3,000 spectators and 400 reenactors and demonstrators attended the 2018 event. 

Adria Focht