Are you prepared for what is next? There is a lot going on in our communities both near and far, and I hope this edition can help you look forward. Learning about what others have experienced, accomplished, overcome, and discovered is key to figuring out how to handle both the pros and cons of what is on the horizon. This knowledge can also help you pivot and find opportunities you may have never noticed before. If you stay informed you will always have options.
Check out the Articles section to see many of the exciting developments this month with openings in the museum world. AKAG in Buffalo holds a place in my heart, as I got to work there for several years in grad school. I can’t wait to see their new spaces. There are also some significant challenges out there and art pros are looking for ways to evolve. Whether you are planning how to handle the new reality of museum leadership or you actually need a breath of fresh air, it can be hard to know what is the right path. Reach out to your peers for help and see what they have advice on.
Finally, speaking of knowing when to breathe, I have added some of my favorite resources to this edition. PurpleAir is a site for everyone, not just art pros. This new tool is for all who live in major metro areas or in the line of smoke from wildfires. It is a great site for planning how you can stay healthy by knowing what the air quality in your area is in real time. Another fantastic tool that is old school is the FAIC Emergency Response Wheel. If you don’t have one I recommend getting it for your arsenal.
Whatever you are planning, prepare for those curve balls by building your network. Having a go-to list of people whose opinions you trust is crucial to making it through the orange-sky days you can’t plan for. I hope APN can be on your list, and I thank all of you who have reached out to connect with me. Congratulations on your successes and thanks for your advice when I have needed an assist.