Hi all,

Many times I am asked by friends, colleagues and family how graduate school is going. My response has centered around the fact that I’m not pulling out any of my hair or curled up into a ball crying and sucking my thumb in a corner. I am having a terrific time learning about museums at a deeper level and engaging with colleagues from around the country and around the world.

Track 12 Sign from Union Terminal – Home of Cincinnati Museum Center

Although it is currently all roses for me (right now) I have identified an unintended side effect. Not only am I studying what makes museums tick, I work full-time in one of the largest and most visited museums in the country – Cincinnati Museum Center. So as I am learning more and more the first thing I want to do is implement ALL THE THINGS! From a new interpretive plan for an upcoming exhibition to evaluations to young professional program piloting, I feel compelled to try to do everything RIGHT. NOW!

I want to turn what I’m learning into professional development opportunities for my staff of rockstars and my colleagues. I want to collaborate with community partners on new, innovative programs. I want to give back to the profession by leading professional development and social connections with local emerging museum professionals. I want to do it all to exhaustion.

Now I’m frustrated. There are never enough hours in the day. One cannot work full-time, rock 6 credit hours of grad school, sleep and have time for everything. I have to pace myself and we all know how much I love that. What about you? Have you had similar frustrations?

Welcome to Museum Avenue, a new blog about the world of museums from a unique perspective – mine! Many of you know me from Special ExhiBITs where I shared my thoughts on exhibits from museums across the eastern United States. Now in Museum Avenue I will share my thoughts on a whole host of subjects pertinent to museum life. Be sure to visit about me and about Museum Avenue for more information.

Many of you are probably wondering why I would choose a random Wednesday to launch a new blog, but today is a special Wednesday. Today I begin a new chapter in my museum career by beginning my masters degree in Museum Studies with Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs. Not so random now, huh? Read my blog post about being accepted into the JHU family. GO HOP!

Check back early and check back often as I add new content.

Are you a museum blogger? Let me know as I am looking for new museoblogs to follow!