Have you ever been kicking around an important question or idea and wished that you could just bring all the smartest people you know together for a little while to hash out the answer and pick their brains? I have two big issues I’m been mulling over for a while now and my magic genie appeared in the form of an invite to join the advisory board for Social Media Week DC. All I had to do after that was click my heels three times, email favor requests to some of my amazing colleagues, and *poof* my wish will be coming true! (Yes, I know I’m mixing storylines and metaphors here but I’m just SO excited.)
While I’m being somewhat selfish in my selection of topics and speakers (I want those burning questions answered!), I think everyone working in museums and/or education is in for a treat with these two upcoming events. If you are in DC, I encourage you to attend these free sessions. If you are unable to participate in person, rest assured that we’ll be live-tweeting, Storify-ing, and blogging about what we learn!
Defining and measuring social media success in museums and arts organizations
Friday, February 22, 10:30-noon (stay for lunch!), National Museum of the American Indian
Register
Hashtag: #smwMuseSocial
Join social media practitioners from local museums and arts organizations for a lively discussion about the value of social media to our institutions. Are our current social media practices engaging online communities to their greatest potential? What outcomes are we hoping to achieve? And how can we better evaluate the success of our efforts and take our social media engagement to the next level?
Our panelists will:
*share recent research about how social media has transformed the arts in America
*present lightning talks on the social media outcome that matters most to them
*discuss your ideas, needs, and concerns
Come prepared to share your burning questions or big idea! Following the formal program, you are invited to buy your own lunch in the museum’s Mitsitam Cafe and take part in informal discussions in smaller groups.
Social studies: How educators are using social media
Thursday, February 21, 5-6:30pm, The Fridge DC
Register
Hashtag: #smwTeach
How are teachers using social media in the classroom? And how can your organization or museum best reach and support educators by providing relevant resources, facilitating social activities, and connecting them with your social content? Join us for a discussion of the rapidly evolving role of social media in teaching and professional development in the education sector. Speakers include a science teacher, the organizer for DC’s EdTech MeetUps, and a museum educator.
Other museum-related events during Social Media Week DC:
- Behind the Scenes Tweetup at Smithsonian’s National American History Museum, Tuesday, February 19, 1-4pm
- A Mobile Smithsonian, Wednesday, February 20, 3-5pm
Museum-related events during Social Media Week New York:
- Telling Stories with Scientists, Wednesday, February 20, 6:30-9:30
- ARTIFACTS: A Gathering of Innovators in the Arts & New Media, Wednesday, February 20, 8-11pm
