The Progress Report

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A newsletter for museum professionals that’s serious about audience progress but playful about the process.

A simpler (but not easy) way to define "community" and communities
#practice Kyle Bowen #practice Kyle Bowen

A simpler (but not easy) way to define "community" and communities

Last week, I spoke with participants in the MUSEUMS AND CHANGE series about “borrowed frames”. The gist of my talk was that museums can define communities in terms of people’s goals rather than demographics, psychographics, or org-centric models like Falk’s visitor typologies.

The discussion after the presentation was interesting because one question or sticking point that featured prominently was: What do we mean by “Community”?

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You don’t have to build faster horses for funders
#practice Kyle Bowen #practice Kyle Bowen

You don’t have to build faster horses for funders

Waiter: The funder at table 7 ordered Pumpkin Spice French Fries.

Chef: We don’t serve Pumpkin Spice French Fries.

Waiter: I know, but they’re going to evaluate our performance based on our ability to produce Pumpkin Spice French Fries, so I took their order, and you’ll need to fulfill their requirement.

Chef [sighs]: Well, ok. I just wish we didn’t operate in a system that requires us to fulfill funders’ expectations. I’m sure there’s a better way to do things, but until the funders who visit our restaurant develop a more refined palate, I’ll have to keep making Pumpkin Spice French Fries and Quesadilla Burgers.

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