Hunter Museum of American Art

Ahead of the Curve

I recently returned from the 2009 American Association of Museums Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pa. The annual meeting is a great way for museum professionals to recharge their batteries, learn new ideas and share successes and challenges with colleagues across the country.

In this current economic crisis, many museums have suffered cuts to both their budgets and staff. As a response to lower attendance numbers, they are creating new programs to attract new audiences. At different sessions and gatherings I heard things like:

“We are looking at trying to do some programs for adults…”

“We are thinking of starting partnerships with local organizations…”

Comments like these were not uncommon as I spoke with people about what new programs they were considering. However, I was a little surprised. While these types of programs may be new to some institutions, they are the norm at the Hunter. We have numerous programs that serve all types of audiences throughout the year. The list of partnerships we have forged over the years to reach out to the community is endless.

At the Hunter we strive to stay relevant to the community we serve while providing some of the best learning opportunities in Chattanooga—from studio classes and lectures to field trips and volunteer opportunities.

If you haven’t looked at the Hunter in a while then I urge you to look again. Take a peek at our calendar of upcoming events or our listing of classes. You’re sure to find something you like.

Hassan Najjar, Manager of School and Family Programs

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