MuseumTrekker Announces New Social Network for Emerging Museum Professionals

It was announced on the MuseumTrekker Twitter page today that a new social network for Emerging Museum Professionals will be launched on April 7th. In response to the growing popularity of the Twitter page, the network will provide a forum for EMPs to network with other museum professionals around the world and engage in dialogue about the rapidly-changing museum field.

Members of the new social network will be able to join a number of discussion groups related to their profession and interests. Members are also encouraged to share photographs, videos and current research. The network blog will provide EMPs with the opportunity to publish their research and to develop a voice in the museum community.

Museum students, professors, post-graduates and professionals are encouraged to join. The network website address will be announced here, on the MuseumTrekker Twitter page and on the new MuseumTrekker Facebook page on April 7th, so stay tuned!

Elvis! to arrive in DC on March 19th

In celebration of Elvis’ 75^th birthday, the Newseum in DC will open its newest temporary exhibition, Elvis! His Groundbreaking, Hip-Shaking, Newsmaking Story.

The exhibition will feature rare photographs & printed media and several of the singer’s personal effects, which include one of his iconic jumpsuits, a belt encrusted with gold and diamonds, and even his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Also currently on exhibit at the museum:

Ted Polumbaum Photo Collection

Manhunt: Chasing Lincoln’s Killer

Inside Tim Russert’s Office

G-Men and Journalists

For more information, check out the Newseum website.

photograph from the Newseum website

Terra Cotta Warriors to depart DC at the end of the month

The Terra Cotta Warriors exhibition currently on view at the National Geographic Museum in DC will be closing on March 31st.

Check the official museum site for exhibition information.


photograph from the National Geographic website

The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins to open at the National Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History will celebrate its 100^th anniversary on the National Mall on March 17th with the opening of its newest exhibition, the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins.

Visitors will be able to explore displays depicting early life, milestones in human evolutionary history, snapshots of early survival, an extensive human family tree and research stations depicting the latest research from scientists in the Smithsonian Human Origins Program. The 15,000-square-foot exhibition is the result of an international collaboration with over 60 research and educational organizations and over 100 researchers from around the world.

Watch Dr. Rick Potts discuss the new exhibition or learn more about the exhibition and current research on the museum website.

photograph from the National Museum of Natural History website

Children Learn about Art at the National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art is committed to making art accessible to children through film, storytelling, performances and hands-on studio workshops. Through the NGA Kids Program, children from age 6 and up can attend programs aimed at fostering a better understanding of artwork through fun activities.

Bonnie Tomlinson and her 7 year-old daughter, Gilly (pictured), are regular participants in the Stories in Art program, which follows a storybook familiar to most children and examines how it translates to an actual piece of artwork in the museum galleries. This month the program highlighted an abstract painting by artist Gerhard Richter and the book Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni. After having a chance to discuss the book and view the piece, Gilly and several other children created their own artwork using the same artistic style as Richter.

All of the NGA Kids programs run on Sunday afternoons. To download the quarterly NGA Kids Program calendar or to find fun on-line games and activities for your little one, check out the NGA Kids website.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Tomlinson.