My Day at the Powerhouse Museum

 

During my time in Sydney,  I spent a day with meeting with the staff at the Powerhouse Museum and Seb Chan who writes the Museum's blog, Fresh + New(er) and who I have had many virtual conversations with via our blogs but have not met face-to-face.   I got to meet the entire web team who I interviewed using QIK (see above), got a whirlwind tour of the museum (the Lost in Space Robot is in their collection!) and have an informal workshop with members of the marketing staff and curators.  Seb Chan has a good write up here.

The Powerhouse has done ground breaking in integrating social media into their communications and web strategies (most recently they've joined the Flickr Commons) but are also in the process of embracing the groundswell concept and making social media part of their organizational culture.   The afternoon workshop was another opportunity for education and discussion about social media and the museum's mission as well as a great example of how you create social change behind the firewall. 

I also met and interviewed Dr. Lynda Kelly, Head of Research, Australian Museum who shared some of her recent research on museum participation and online social activities.  She took excellent notes about our session and blogged it here.

My flickr photos are here

 

Comments

[Patricia Martin]

Beth,
I was fascinated to read your comment about the folks in Australia who "are also in the process of embracing the groundswell concept and making social media part of their organizational culture." I recently encountered this among non-profits and for-profits I met with in Houston. What's at the root of this anxiety, in your opinion? Why is it different than embracing any other change?
Patricia Martin

[Connie Bensen]

thanks for sharing your travels Beth! I'm glad to hear that they're embracing social media & are interested in utilizing the tools.