The year in review: Everyone’s doing it. Time to look back at the stories and insights we’ve shared on Museum 411 since launching this summer. We appreciate you being here!
Let’s revisit some of our most popular articles of the year — and maybe spark some ideas for 2025?
The Power of Scent
Our piece on New Ways Museums Are Using Scent to Great Effect in Exhibitions explores how engaging visitors’ sense of smell can deepen emotional connections and create lasting memories. From the scent of medieval herbs to salt-laden maritime air, all sorts of museums are finding success with this untapped storytelling strategy.
Operations and Logistics
Our guide on Practical Advice for Dealing with Unruly Visitors offers tips to manage disruptive situations calmly and confidently. Preparation is key.
In The Future of Traveling Exhibitions, we look into how museums are adapting to costs, logistics, and sustainability concerns going forward. (Don’t forget to submit the Cultural Dialogue Survey for 2025 if you’re interested in helping shape the future of traveling exhibitions.)
Digitization is about opportunity as much as it’s about preservation. Digitizing Collections: The Benefits You May Not Have Considered highlights surprising perks, from making curatorial connections to creating new revenue streams.
On the retail front, Trends in Museum Shops shows how your museum store can make more of an impact.
Strengthening Community and Advocacy
Museums are not merely meant to be repositories of objects. Community Engagement and Advocacy: Tips for U.S. Museums From OMA provides inspiration for museums looking to strengthen ties with their local communities (and boost support at every level).
Speaking of community, our Q&A with Marissa Stern, social media manager at the Museum of the American Revolution, gives valuable insights on how effective social media strategies can boost engagement and spread the word about your institution.
Redefining Climate Messaging at Museums investigates a shift toward hopeful, action-oriented narratives that better resonate with today’s audiences.
Programming for Your Adult Audiences
In Successful Museum Programs for Older Adults, we highlight some thoughtful programming that combats social isolation and ageism among older visitors.
And Engaging Ideas for Adult Programming reminds us that museums can be meaningful third places for grown-ups, too.
As always, please feel free to reach out to us with your own submissions or topics you’d like to hear more about. Cheers to a new year filled with more creativity, collaboration, and continued growth!
