MuseumTastic

10/04/2024

For the past three years, MuseumTastic has supported museums and nonprofits nationwide with small project support. I started MuseumTastic based on my own experiences as a museum pro. Sometimes I just needed a boost to a project, a quick copywriter, or a fresh set of eyes. It was impossible to find someone who just wanted 5-10 hour jobs at an affordable rate.

From disaster plans to Google Analytics to collections support, I had many wonderful opportunities to engage with colleagues and friends on amazing projects. I’m so appreciative of the clients who took advantage of my services. You allowed me to stay connected to museums, history, and the many things I loved while working in a corporate marketing role.

I also want to thank my MuseumTastic partners – Sarah Garriepy, Alyssa Conary, David Moffat, Jen Ratliff, and Cameron Bishop. Each of you provided amazing support and expertise to MuseumTastic’s projects and I’m so grateful that we were able to work together.

MuseumTastic’s last day of providing services will be on October 31, 2024.

In the coming weeks I will be transitioning to a new role as the Director of Marketing for the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. In the past three years, with my corporate job at Copyright ClearanceCenter, I have been able to develop my marketing skills and am so excited to have found a role that combines so many things that I love – marketing, project management, website redesign, branding, storytelling, history, museums, recreation, skiing, fairs, and cider donuts. There is a very dynamic team leading the charge at MOTT and I’m just happy to be a part of it! I’ll also be playing a role in the MA250 initiative and cannot wait to connect with my museum and history colleagues.

I’m always here if my museum friends need to run some crazy ideas by me or to vent about museum and nonprofit life. Feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Again, my thanks to all of you for following MuseumTastic and supporting my small business in numerous ways over the last three years.

08/21/2024

Marketing is **not** a supplementary activity for cultural institutions and museums; it is a fundamental component of their strategy for success.

By driving visitor engagement, enhancing educational outreach, securing funding, and building community connections, effective marketing ensures that these institutions can continue to preserve, educate, and inspire for generations to come.

Do you need some reasons to invest in museum marketing? We've got 4 in our most recent blog post: https://loom.ly/QmbrY70

(And, psssssssst! We love marketing and would be glad to help you with a flexible, scalable marketing project at your museum!)

08/20/2024

Preservation in a Changing Climate conference, hosted by Salem Preservation Partners is scheduled for September 18 at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.

If you are involved with historic preservation, taking care of coastal properties, or managing collections in ever-changing building conditions, this day is for you!

This day of thought-provoking talks aims to advance mitigation and adaptation strategies that address impacts of climate change on historic buildings, landscapes, and neighborhoods.

Go to pem.org/events for full details and to register (or check out today's MuseumTastic story for the link).

08/15/2024

Sometimes the news just delivers a story that *really* makes you smile. We loved this story from Washington Post : https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2024/07/12/holocaust-survivor-teen-friendship-museum/

Learn about this wonderful friendship that developed at the Illinois Holocaust Museum - Skokie.

“We just really hit it off,” said Dhilan Stanley, 13, who volunteers with Janine Oberrotman, 98, at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

08/14/2024

To prove that we're guilty of the busman's holiday here is a sign from Crystal Caves in Bermuda.

Our founder was there in June and (obviously) read the interpretive signage. Imagine the excitement when she saw 'Revere Beach' and a nod to the history of modern swimwear!

While using precious cell data, she discovered this great article about Annette Kellerman and her trailblazing fashion: https://loom.ly/BMvtXJM

08/13/2024

Outside of folks who work in tourism, our guess is that museum pros are next in line for the 'busman's holiday' phenomena. Do you check exhibit mounts? Look at word count on labels? Test out the kids' tour? Observe interpretive practices? Scope out the museum shop or cafe operations?

Read a little more in our lighthearted blog and let us know if you are guilty as well: https://loom.ly/r-NtMb4

08/08/2024

With hurricanes on our mind, we really loved this recent episode 99%. It takes you through the history of these often catastropic storms in the Atlantic, the economics of the storms, and the modern technology that helps with planning, preparation, and response.

Listen now: https://loom.ly/FsOfA4s

On the campus of Florida International University, in Miami, there’s a place ominously named “The Extreme Events Institute.” They map the risk of storm surge for the whole Caribbean, and study how the public perceives the threats from natural disasters. They’re also home to the International...

08/07/2024

We wanted to share this great resource from FAIC - the Disaster Wheel Mobile App!

If you've been around disaster planning in museums, you know this physical wheel. If you haven't now is a great time to add this to your work apps - be ready to provide critical information to support collections in a disaster or emergency!

Link to app: https://loom.ly/suDQm_s

08/06/2024

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather.gov mobile app is a trusted and free source of weather information. Here are the steps to get this "at the ready" on your mobile device (steps provided by NOAA):

Step 1: Open up Safari (the iPhone web browser) and enter in the following URL in the address bar then click Go!: https://loom.ly/i1rWxP0

Step 2: Once the page loads, open the options menu near the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: From the options menu, choose the "Add To Home Screen" option:

Step 4: A new window should appear giving you the option to give the shortcut a name. We suggest using "NWS Weather" After typing in a name, hit the "Add" button on the top right of the screen.

That should do it! Look on your homescreen from your new app-looking shortcut to the National Weather Service!

08/01/2024

We're in the midst of hurricane season and predictions are still strong for a busy fall season.

Is your museum prepared?

Check out our hurricane resources blog with practical things you can do TODAY as well as during and after a major weather incident: https://loom.ly/mlboTOw