b'museums todayIN SPRING 2018,Rebecca Rabinow 88, director of The Menil Collection in Houston, returned to campus and met with Museums Concentration students for a lively conversation that underscored the enormous educational value that comes from connecting with professionals in the field. Later that same year, a new program called Museums Today: Conversations with Museum Professionals about Current Issues and TheirBeryl Briane Ford, Haley J. Graham, Francesca L. LoGalbo and Jen Work was created, providing a space for students toDuckettspeak candidly on a variety of topics with those work-ing in a variety of disciplines.East Asian Garden Studies and curator of the Chinese The first conversation, in fall 2018, was withGarden at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Frank Mitchell, executive director of the AmistadBotanical Gardens located in San Marino, California, Center for Art & Culture in Hartford, Connecticut. Hecame to campus in October 2019. He shared how his discussed his curatorial practice focusing on Africanexperience working in museums around the world American visual culture and history, the role of con- provided a global perspective on cross-cultural dia-temporary artists in the context of museums and hislogue, audience access and the effects of political and experiences organizing exhibitions about differentcultural climates on his museum practice. In February cultural traditions. Asked about his programming2020, Miranda Massie, director of the Climate Muse-work focusing on race, equity and inclusion, he talkedum in New York City, told students about how in 2014 about his experiences facilitating difficult conversa- she left an illustrious career in social justice law to lay tions in the museum setting.the groundwork for this new museum. Students talked In spring 2019, a group of Museums Concen- with Massie about the unconventional structure for tration alumnae were invited to campus: Jen Duckettfounding a museum with its basis in a vision rather 14, coordinator of school partnerships and teacherthan a collection. The conversation also explored programs, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Beryl BrianeMassies transition from practicing law to working in Ford 17, M.A. candidate, Teachers College, Columbiathe museum field, as well as the intersection of activ-University; Haley J. Graham 16, gallery educator, ism and the museums role in the climate crisis.National Portrait Gallery; and Francesca L. LoGalboFor each Museums Today program, students 12, assistant, creative team, The Museum of Modernprepare by researching the speakers home institution Art. They spoke specifically about their post-gradu- and thinking of questions and issues to be addressed. ation pathways, with considerable attention to theirFacilitating the conversations provides students con-experiences as emerging museum professionals.tinued opportunities to further skills in interviewing Connecting with alumnae working in the field alwaysand public speaking, while delving into current issues provides valuable advice and inspiration for studentsof interest to them and a wider audience. Although connecting people to ideasconsidering a career in museums.Museums Concentration students plan and facilitate The programs second year featured twoeach dialogue, the program is open to anyone inter-speakers. Philip E. Bloom, director of the Center forested in participating. 40'