New Mexico’s Centennial of Statehood will be in 2012, and Governor Bill Richardson has designated the Dept. of Cultural Affairs as the lead agency for promoting commemorative activities. It is not too early for your Museum to begin thinking about how it wishes to engage with the NM Centennial – which will launch in the fall of 2011 and continue through the fall of 2012. It is a unique moment to showcase the great work you do every day – and an opportunity for expanded public relations, education, tourist visits, and goal-setting.

Given current economic realities, Centennial planners are not offering funding for special projects at this time, but they do want to know what we are all planning to do. Right now, community organizations and state agencies are looking at existing events and initiatives that can be related to the Centennial and “branded” as Centennial projects. As cultural anchors for our communities, museums can plan Centennial-related activities of all kinds that can be part of the overall commemorative calendar. It is hoped that with local Museums leading the way, local civic and community organizations will in turn plan events that can be held concurrently, which would increase visitation to New Mexico’s towns and villages by both out-of-state and in-state travelers. This planning is part of a larger “Centennial Community Challenge,” in which communities are invited to galvanize their local resources and spirit to create events that “outdo” those of their neighboring towns.

If you are interested in keeping up with Centennial activities and plans, visit the website (in English and Spanish) at www.nmcentennial.org, and use the link on

the homepage to subscribe to the NM Centennial E-Newsletter. Also on the site is a newly-featured events calendar, hosted by the NM Tourism Department, where events with a NM Centennial theme can be posted. A one-page planning form is available in the “Get Involved” section, which you can submit to the Centennial Office.

PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW MEXICO CENTENNIAL 2012

LINKS Volume 35 Issue 2

Spring 2010

N E W M E X I C O A S S O C I AT I O N O F M U S E U M S

Page 2 LINKS

From the President Since the first of the year, your NMAM Board has been working hard on several projects in-cluding development of a new Strategic Long-range Plan (2010-2012), revisions to the Op-erations Manual, and the 2010 Annual Conference in Las Vegas.

The Long-range Planning Committee (Linda Deck, Caroline Brooks, Lisa Pugh, and Laurie Rufe) has sought to produce clear goals and attendant objectives, a revised mission that is direct and concise, and a vision statement for the future.

Mission: The New Mexico Association of Museums provides statewide support to New Mexico’s museums, museum professionals, and associated groups through professional

development, advocacy, communication, and collaboration.

Vision: The New Mexico Association of Museums will be the leading

voice for the promotion of advocacy, best practices, and excellence

in New Mexico’s museums.

The Operations Manual (2000), which guides how the board functions and establishes poli-cies and procedures for the general operating functions of the Association, was outdated and cumbersome. In recent months the Manual has been condensed, Board member re-sponsibilities defined, and policies updated. Thanks to Selena Connealy and Tony Thibodeau for taking the lead on this task, and to the entire Board for its input.

Save the dates for our 2010 conference in historic Las Vegas: November 3-6.

Nellie Price is pulling together a fabulous program and roster of activities. Las Vegas, a city once known as the “wildest of the wild, wild west” and the “biggest stop” along the Santa Fe Trail, has incredible architecture; in 1986 over 900 buildings were on the national, state, and local registers for historic places. The exquisite Plaza Hotel (our host hotel and meeting site), a thriving cultural and arts district, and the Las Vegas Museum and Rough Riders Col-lection are just a few of the marvelous things Las Vegas has to offer.

Finally, NMAM had a public face in Santa Fe for Culture Day, held at the Roundhouse on February 15. Normally reserved for DCA/Museum of New Mexico organizations, Secretary of Cultural Affairs Stuart Ashman was generous in including NMAM. Thanks to Louise Stiver and Tony Thibodeau for helping me man our table, and to Jodi Delaney from the Centennial office for sharing her space.

Laurie Rufe

Professional Development Workshop Sponsored by the

New Mexico Association of Museums

Building On Research To Improve Practice:

Applying what we know about learning science in informal environments

Facilitated by Dennis Schatz, Pacific Science Cen-ter

Thursday, May 20, 2010 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At the NM Museum of Natural History & Science, Albuquerque

NMAM members: $45; non-members: $55 (includes box lunch)

The National Research Council has just published Surrounded by Science: Learning Science in Infor-mal Environments. If you want to utilize best prac-tices or plan to justify what you are doing—this book and this workshop are what you need. We will engage in activities that highlight some of the themes from the publication and other related research, observe visitor interaction in a museum setting (New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and Explora!) and discuss ways we might apply what is learned from the workshop to further learning within our own setting. The work-shop will include videos of visitors interacting with exhibits, identifying types of visitors, discus-sions of concepts presented in Surrounded by Sci-ence and the implications of the workshop con-tent for our own programs or exhibits. Although the focus of this workshop will be learning in in-formal science settings, participants from all kinds of museums and informal learning settings will find many things applicable to their work.

Dennis Schatz is Senior Vice President for Strate-gic Programs at Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington. A research solar astronomer prior to his career in science education, he has held a broad range of positions from Director of the Planetarium to VP for Exhibits and VP for Educa-tion. He is active in the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), the National Science

Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Astronomi-cal Society of the Pacific (ASP).

Dennis was awarded the Distinguished Informal Science Educator Award, as well as the lifetime, Distinguished Service to Science Education award from NSTA. He was named an ASTC Fellow for his lifetime achievement in service to the field and furthering the public's understanding of sci-ence. He is the author of 21 science books for children, including Uncover A T.rex. www.dennisschatz.org/

About the book:

Surrounded by Science: Learning Science in Informal Environments Practitioners in informal science settings--museums, after-school programs, science and technology centers, media enterprises, libraries, aquariums, zoos, and botanical gardens--are in-terested in finding out what learning looks like, how to measure it, and what they can do to ensure that people of all ages, from different back-grounds and cultures, have a positive learning experience. Surrounded by Science: Learning Sci-ence in Informal Environments is designed to make that task easier. Based on the National Re-search Council study, Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits, this book is a tool that provides case studies, illustra-tive examples, and probing questions for practi-tioners. In short, this book makes valuable re-search accessible to those working in informal science: educators, museum professionals, uni-versity faculty, youth leaders, media specialists, publishers, broadcast journalists, and many oth-ers. Workshop participants can purchase the book at 40% off the cover price! Find more de-tails about the book at www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12614

This workshop is sponsored by the New Mexico Association of Museums, the New Mexico Mu-seum of Natural History & Science and Explora!

Volume 35 Issue 2 Page 3

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New Mexico History Museum News

The New Mexico History Museum crossed the 130,000-visitors mark in its first nine months of operation, a total that exceeded expectations. Upcoming events include:

The May 23 opening of Wild at Heart: Ernest Thompson Seton, an exploration of one of America’s most significant conservationists, and a ground-breaking author and artist. The opening coincides with the museum’s first anniversary, which will include a public celebration in the Palace Courtyard.

The Telling New Mexico Inaugural Lecture Series features Professor Gail Y. Okawa of Youngstown State University in Ohio at 2 pm on March 28, speaking on “Exile from Paradise, Internment in New Mexico: My Grandfather’s Journey,” an account of her grandfather’s life in Santa Fe’s World War II Japanese internment camp.

At 11 am on March 31, the US Postal Service will unveil its newest commemora-tive stamp in the History Museum Auditorium, honoring the late editorial cartoonist Bill Mauldin.

To honor what would have been Fray Angélico Chávez’s 100th birthday, the History Museum Library, which carries his name, will hold a free symposium, 10 am to 4:30 pm on April 10, gathering the general public and scholars to exchange thoughts on his influence on New Mexico and share their stories about him.

Award-winning author Stephen Fried launches his new book about the Fred Harvey empire, Appetite for America, with a lecture at the museum, followed by an authentic Harvey House dinner at La Fonda, 4-8 pm, April 11.

April 11 is also the last day to see Fashioning New Mexico, the popular exhibit t racing more than 150 years of clothing – from underwear to everyday wear to ballgowns and opera costumes.

Volume 35 Issue 2 Page 5

Here’s a sampling of what’s going on at NMAM member museums in the southeast region. If your museum isn’t listed here, remember to get your info to me for future newsletters! (the next deadline is June 10th) Nancy Dunn: Artesia Historical Mu-seum & Art Center, 505 W. Richardson Ave., Ar-tesia 88210; artesiamuseum@artesianm.gov

Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center (575) 748-2390

Local artists Juli Thurman, Tyler Green, Michael Matthews, & Junior Thurman will display their latest works April 29th-July 10th. There will be an opening reception April 29th 5:00-7:30 pm—local band Shilo will play an acoustic set and refreshments will be served.

Roswell Museum and Art Center (575)624-6744

“The Ginormous Painting Show” on display through June 6th, features supersized works in a show that explores the concept of scale and the role it plays in artistic expression.

“Far from Near” an exhibition of works by Roswell Artist-in-Residence artist Janice Jakielski, will be on display through May 2nd.

Western Heritage Museum/Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame (575)392-6730

“Water’s Extreme Journey” will be featured through May 2nd. The exhibit combines art & sci-ence to demonstrate the importance of water and how it connects all of us, and includes a game that transforms visitors into a drop of water and takes them on a journey through lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, and oceans. Also featured are hands-on activities that allow visitors to investigate the prop-erties & quality of water.

The Festival of Quilts will be on display June 17th-July 17th. This year’s theme is “Home on the Range”—guidelines & an entry form can be downloaded from www.museumshobbsnm.org/2009-festival-of-quilts

Fort Stanton National Monument (575) 653-4821

Tours of the fort will start on May 9th and will be held every Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm. Meet at the Fort Stanton Museum. Also, the Fort is currently seeking reenactors for living history presenta-tions—call for more information.

Lincoln State Monument (575) 653-4372

The annual Fandango! event will be held on June 5th, to celebrate the end of the Billy the Kid Trail Ride with food & music. The Ride itself retraces the 125-mile route Billy the Kid took during his trek to Fort Sumner after his infamous jail escape in April 1881 from the Lincoln County Courthouse.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park (575) 885-0072

A Cave Photography workshop will be held on April 24th-25th, taught by noted cave photographer Peter Jones. The workshop’s content will be geared toward intermediate & advanced photogra-phers, but everyone is welcome—all participants need is a digital camera & a tripod. The workshop is limited to 12 participants and will fill up fast—for more information or to register, call (575) 785-2484.

Carlsbad Museum & Art Center (575) 887-0276

The museum will feature art by Carlsbad-area stu-dents for the month of April. Elementary students will have their art displayed April 5th-19th; secon-dary students will display their works April 19th-30th.

Southeast Regional Report

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Fort Stanton State Monument garners architectural honor

In February, another honor was credited to the restoration at historic Fort Stanton State Monument with the nomination of the Administration Building for the 2010 New Mexico "Architectural Heritage Preservation Award."

The Fort Stanton State Monument Administration Building, an 8,000-square-foot architectural gem, saw major work on the column-ed portal or porch, and its interior.

According to author/historian and fort booster Lynda Sanchez, the inside of the structure needed major repair as termite infestation destroyed some of the wooden window frames and several support-ing columns. The old wooden floors were replaced, new electrical wiring and plumbing were com-pleted and a series of exhibit rooms, State Monument offices and public restrooms were installed. A subtle white lime wash replaced the paint on the battered walls of the exterior, she said.

To assist in this nomination process, award-winning photographer David Tremblay provided the before and after photos for the application. Sánchez provided editorial assistance, a trove of newspaper and magazine clippings and a letter of support. Jay Smith, Director of the Hubbard Museum, also submit-ted a letter of support as did Lincoln County Manager Tom Stewart. The final results will be announced mid year.

Partnerships get Bradbury Science Museum’s supercomputing exhibit up-to-speed A grant from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Foundation is helping the Bradbury Science Museum of Los Alamos National Laboratory bring its supercomputing exhibit up to petaflop speed. “The update was long overdue,” said museum director Linda Deck.

Totaling almost $30,000, the IEEE grant allows the museum to modernize its exhibit to include artifacts from more recent Lab supercomputers, such as Q and Roadrunner, and develop an interactive web site. Currently the one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, Roadrunner was the first to break the petaflop barrier in 2008. A petaflop is a million billion calculations per second.

“This exhibit is all about partnerships” reported Deck. In addition to the IEEE participation, two students from New Mexico Highlands University Media Arts & Computer Science Program in the Cultural Technology Internship Program coordinated by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs are helping museum staff design interactives and develop the Web site. Younger students are involved as well; because the exhibit seeks to interest young people in computer science, museum staff asked students what should be included in the exhibit and on the new Web site. “We held focus groups with local middle and high-school students to get their input,” Deck said.

Because the museum can’t apply for grant funding under its own name, it must form “creative partnerships” with other organizations to receive funding, Deck explained. She added that David Izraelevitz of LANL’s Risk Analysis & Decision Support Systems, who is also past chair of the Los Alamos/Northern New Mexico section of the IEEE, suggested the partnership and applied for IEEE funding. Additional in-kind support is being provided by LANL’s High Performance Computing and Records Management/ Media Services and Operations divisions, Digital Publications, LLC, NMHU, and the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

Continued on page 7

"No matter which way things turn out, this nomination is another terrific example of the ex-quisite architecture and history that make up the fabric of Fort Stanton." Sanchez said.

"Those who recall the devastation and damage inside and out of this wonderful building will now see a great difference," she said. "We should congratulate all nominees because each group or person worked toward the eventual restoration and occupation of the structure. In many ways we have come full circle. As Englishman Fred Nolan stated in the introduction to "Fort Stanton, Legacy of Honor, Tradition of Healing," written by Sanchez with photographs by Tremblay, "A country that turns its back on its past has nothing with which to face the future."

The elegance has returned to the fort, Sanchez said, adding, "The next century has begun with a new face, a new purpose and pride and hope for the future."

In 2008 and 2009, Capital Outlay funding for which supporters fought since 2003, finally began to transform some of the Fort buildings that needed it the most, she said. The Quadrangle parade ground received most of the $1.5 million funding for renovation and repair. The historic stables and silos also were beneficiaries of generous private donations and capital outlay funding, as well as many volunteer hours.

The fort and a museum operated by Fort Stanton Inc., is located about 15 miles northeast of Ruidoso on New Mexico Highway 220, or can be accessed off U.S. 380 between the village of Capitan and the Lincoln Historical District. The Fort Stanton State Monument Cemetery sits next to the fort complex.

All Museum Related Articles Welcomed. Your LINKS editor is looking for articles to print in the quarterly newsletter of NMAM.

If you are an NMAM member and have something you would like to share with New Mexico’s mu-seum community, please send it for possible publication. We are also looking for articles for our new section, Museum Spotlight, that will showcase different museums throughout New Mexico. If you would like to see your museum spotlighted, please email that and any other news to:

Garland Courts

NMAM Publications Chairman

gcourts@las-cruces.org

(575) 541-2156

Thanks!!

Fort Stanton continued

Fort Stanton 2010

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2010 NMAM Conference to be held in Las Vegas, NM

This year’s annual conference will be held November 3, 4 & 5, 2010 at the beautiful and historic Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico. This year’s theme is 21st Century Museums in the Wildest of the Wild West. Look for more details in the next issue of LINKS!

NEW MEXICO ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS CALL FOR SESSIONS

NMAM 2010 Annual Meeting

Las Vegas, New Mexico November 3, 4 & 5, 2010

Conference Theme: “21st Century Museums in the Wildest of the Wild West"

Sessions will be held in the historic and beautiful Plaza Hotel. Highlight your museum's strengths to museum professionals from all over the State. All types of museums are welcome to participate.

Sessions will be an hour and fifteen minutes long. Double sessions will be considered.

Possible topic areas can include, but are not limited to, the following:

Skill-building sessions, including working with governing bodies;

Collections conservation Issues;

Educational programming, such as oral history;

Use of technology in existing and new exhibits;

Membership building;

Collaborating with other museums;

Exhibit planning processes;

Grant writing;

Working with colleges and universities

Submission forms can be found on the NMAM website at www.nmmuseums.org or by contacting Conference Chair Nellie Price at: nellie.pen.price@gmail.com

Submissions are due by May 7th.

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New NMAM Members Institutional

Craig T. Currell, Director, Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum, Tucumcari

Dr. Axel Hungerbuehler, Museum Curator, Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum, Tucumcari

Tina J. Cates-Ortega, Vice-President, Moriarty Historical Society & Museum, Moriarty

Kathryn Flynn, Director, National New Deal Preservation Association, Santa Fe

Donna Pedace, Executive Director, Spanish Colonial Arts Society, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Santa Fe

Individual Member (Contributing)

Shelle Sanchez, Director of Education, National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque

Individual Member (Regular)

Donna Pedace, Executive Director, Spanish Colonial Arts Society - Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Santa Fe

New Director for Carlsbad Museum & Art Center The City of Carlsbad recently appointed Patsy Jackson as the Director of its Museum & Art Center, located in the Carlsbad Downtown Historic District lately placed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties. Jackson relocated to Carlsbad from the Hubbard Museum in Ruidoso Downs where she served as the Curator of Education, mov-ing there from the Director position at the Sacramento Mountains Historical Museum in Cloudcroft.

With a twenty-year background in art, history and museum programming and administration, Jackson comes equipped with ideas to carry the 79-year-old Museum to the next level. “We have recently completed a MAP Governance Assessment through the Department of Museum Standards & Excellence Programs at the American Association of Museums, with plans to make necessary improvements and continue the process towards accreditation. We are upgrading our facilities and making plans for a wider variety of programming. Our world-class art collection will be preserved and enhanced. Our outstanding archaeological collections and history exhibits will be orchestrated to ensure that our patrons can visualize the story of our area’s history.” The recently drafted AAM strategic plan is referred to as “The Spark.” The national organization believes that “museums strengthen communities. They educate and inspire, nourish minds and spirits, and enrich lives.” The Carlsbad Museum & Art Center has focused on this belief for 79 years, and seizing the spark from the AAM, dreams of becoming a premier cultural center for all of southeastern New Mexico.

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NMAM GOVERNING BOARD

PRESIDENT Laurie Rufe Director, Roswell Museum and Art Center rufe@roswellmuseum.org

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Pat Price Museum Educator Museum of Spanish Colonial Art education@spanishcolonial.org

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Selena Connealy Museum Educator selena.connealy@comcast.net

TREASURER Linda Deck Director, Bradbury Science Museum ldeck@lanl.gov

SECRETARY Melanie Laborwit Muesum Outreach Coordinator, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History nmmelanie@yahoo.com

MEMBERSHIP OFFICER Caroline Brooks Assistant Director, Roswell Museum and Art Center brooks@roswellmuseum.org

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Garland Courts Director, Branigan Cultural Center gcourts@las-cruces.org

MPMA REPRESENTATIVE Anthony J. Thibodeau Collections Manager, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture anthony.thibodeau@state.nm.us

NORTHWEST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE Sarah Cooke Education Coordinator Farmington Museum scooke@fmtn.org NORTHEAST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE Nellie Price Museum Educator City of Las Vegas Museum nprice@desertgate.com

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE Lisa Pugh Museum Manager, Las Cruces Museum of Art lpugh@las-cruces.org

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE Nancy Dunn Museum Manager Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center artesiamuseum@pvtn.net

PAST PRESIDENT Louise Stiver Retired stiver@cybermesa.com

LISTSERVE MANAGER Bonnie Verardo Collections Manager, UNM Art Museum bverardo@unm.edu WEBSITE MANAGER Doug Patinka Webmaster, NM Department of Cultural Affairs doug.patinka@state.nm.us EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE Tish Morris Senior Educator, NMMNHS Tish.morris@state.nm.us

Upcoming Programs at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art

Symposium:

Converging Streams: Art of the Hispanic and Native Ameri-

can Southwest

June 26-27, 2010, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art

The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art continues its cele-bration of Santa Fe’s 400th with a two-day symposium ex-ploring the dynamic interaction between the diverse cul-tures of the Southwest and the art they produced. Coin-ciding with the release of the exhibition catalogue, the catalogue authors will discuss textiles, architecture, furni-ture, ceramics, metalwork, agriculture, painting, sculp-ture, and performance and ceremonial arts. The 150 ob-jects that have been brought together for the exhibition, which runs through September 26, will be the focus of these talks as scholars and participants examine the con-tinuing repercussions of cultural and aesthetic exchange.

Exhibition:

Women in New Mexico: Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven (1910-2006)

Through May 30, 2010

Celebration of Concha’s 100th birthday on May 14th, 4-6 pm

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Museum of

Spanish Colonial Art is featuring the life and contribu-tions of Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven. Concha, in 1941 the first female majority whip of any state legislature in the country, was an outspoken advocate for women, the disabled, and the poor. Photos and objects, including family silver and a branding iron, give a glimpse into the contradictions and demands in women’s lives in early 20th century New Mexico. Concha’s life reflects both the long-lasting impact of New Mexico’s Spanish heritage as well as the spirit and ingenuity of frontier ranching women.

ARTS ALIVE! AT THE MUSEUM OF SPANISH COLONIAL ARTS

Free drop-in outdoor workshops for all ages!

These hands-on workshops are taught by Spanish Mar-ket artists.

June 23 Straw Applique with Lenise Martinez

June 30 Tinwork with Cleo Romero

July 7 Retablo-painting with John Jimenez

July 14 Colcha Embroidery with Julia Gomez

Join the fun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Museum of Span-ish Colonial Art 750 Camino Lejo on Museum Hill. Groups of six or more contact: Toni Kay Wanic, 505-982-2226, ext. 122 or education@spanishcolonial.org

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