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Co-Chair Catherine Whited joined We Are Austin to share how the organization supports museums and museum professionals while connecting more Central Texans with the cultural institutions in their own backyard.<\/p>\n
Bringing Austin’s Museum Community Together<\/p>\n
The Austin Museum Partnership works behind the scenes to strengthen museums throughout the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mission is to facilitate collaboration within the museum community for the benefit of those museums, but also for the benefit of the Austin community at large,\u201d Whited said.<\/p>\n
That includes major institutions like the Bullock Texas State History Museum and Blanton Museum of Art, along with smaller museums that may not have the same resources for professional development.<\/p>\n
The partnership offers workshops, grants, networking and other opportunities to help museum professionals sharpen their skills and share ideas.<\/p>\n
Helping Museums Learn From Each Other<\/p>\n
One recent initiative brought museum professionals together to discuss something many families know well: field trips.<\/p>\n
Participants exchanged ideas about everything from communicating with teachers to managing student groups and sharing best practices. The series culminated in a field trip fair attended by more than 50 local teachers.<\/p>\n
For smaller institutions, Whited says opportunities like these can be especially valuable when budgets don’t allow employees to travel to conferences or training programs.<\/p>\n
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Austin Museum Partnership joins CBS Austin\u2019s Community Partner spotlight<\/p>\n
Museums Worth Exploring Beyond Downtown<\/p>\n
While Austin is home to plenty of well-known museums, Whited encourages families to explore destinations throughout Central Texas.<\/p>\n
She highlighted the Williamson Museum in Georgetown, which shares stories from Williamson County; the Bastrop Visitor Center; and the Science Mill in Johnson City, where families can dive into interactive STEM experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s stuff all over,\u201d Whited said. \u201cIt’s not just downtown Austin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why Museums Still Matter<\/p>\n
In a world where seemingly any piece of information is only a phone search away, Whited says museums provide something a screen simply can’t replicate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is quite different to be confronted with a physical artifact that somebody used,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Seeing historical objects in person can make larger-than-life figures and distant moments in history feel tangible, helping visitors recognize the real people behind the stories they’ve learned.<\/p>\n
And for anyone who feels obligated to read every museum plaque, Whited offered some liberating advice: don’t.<\/p>\n
\u201cPick out a few that really inspire you,\u201d she said. \u201cCome back again and see it later.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Austin Museum Partnership joins CBS Austin\u2019s Community Partner spotlight<\/p>\n
Save the Date for Austin Museum Day<\/p>\n
One of the partnership’s biggest celebrations returns September 20 with the 29th annual Austin Museum Day.<\/p>\n
More than 30 participating museums will open their doors to the public for free, with many offering additional activities and special programming.<\/p>\n
At the Neill-Cochran House Museum, for example, visitors can traditionally try their hand at churning ice cream\u2014an interactive reminder that making a frozen treat once required considerably more effort.<\/p>\n
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