Free Prize Inside!

The Museum Association of New York/Upstate History Alliance annual conference is, to my mind, one of the best conferences around.  It's big enough to attract a wide range of participants  and small enough to have really good conversations with people.   And of course, New York has great museums of all sizes.  This year, the conference has been framed around the idea of Museums in Conversation. Rather than sessions where people talk at you or show yet another bulleted Powerpoint list,  all the sessions are designed as conversations, with facilitators leading what are sure to be lively discussions on a wide range of topics.

But, for the second year in a row, I'll be in Ukraine as a Fulbright Scholar and hence, unable to attend this year's conference, April 11-13 in Albany, NY.  As a sponsor, however, Riverhill still receives a free conference registration (a more than $200 value for non-UHA/MANY members) Rather than let it go to waste, I decided that it should go to a deserving museum worker or aspiring worker like you.  

Here's how to win:
I want to hear about your museum conversations.  The free registration will go to the best 150 words or less description of a museum conversation reflecting both the spirit of the conference and this blog.   It can be a conversation overheard, an imagined conversation among or between staff, volunteers, board members or visitors; a conversation with or between objects;  or a real (names changed if you wish) re-counting.   Need some inspiration about stories?  They're a bit longer, but I love the tales told on The Moth.  I've put together an esteemed panel of judges:  Susie Wilkenning of Reach Advisors and the  Museum Audience Insight blog and blogger Anne Ackerson of Leading by Design will join me. 

What will we look for?  The winning entry will demonstrate a passionate commitment to museum conversation--and a sense of humor won't hurt.  Creativity, imagination, and a compelling story--think of it as an exhibit, if you will.  Images or artwork can accompany your submission if you wish.   Don't want to write?  Consider submitting a YouTube video of 2 minutes or less.

The details:
Email your submission here by February 10, 2010.   By entering,  you give me permission to use your entry on this blog, in whole or in part.  The winner will be notified no later than March 5, 2010.  That's it--not too complicated!