Quatrefoil Associates

How might changes and cuts to IMLS affect some local Maryland museums? Read on . . . https://lnkd.in/emxS-Ujt

AAM ALERT! The Quatrefoil crew would LOVE to catch up with you at AAM in Los Angeles this May! Our fabulous designers and business folks will be on hand at Booth #1213 to chat about upcoming projects! Drop us a line if you want to meet up: [email protected]!

AAM Conference News! Join Quatrefoil's Director of Design Strategies Michael Burns and Mitchell Maki, the President/CEO of the Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) in California for a thought-provoking workshop exploring how the GFBNEC inspires multicultural and multigenerational audiences to contemplate their core values of courage, sacrifice, equality, humility, tolerance, and patriotism.

Don't sit this one out. On March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing further cuts to the government agency that efficiently provides CRITICAL funding to museums and libraries in all 50 states.?The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) makes up only 0.0046% of the overall federal budget to support a sector that generates more than $50 billion dollars in economic benefits to the American economy and supports more than 726,000 jobs. American museums receive bi-partisan support?and research shows that 96% of Americans would approve of lawmakers who act to support museums and 96% of Americans want to maintain or increase federal funding for museums. ? Please?email or call?your members of Congress today to ask them to speak up about the importance of IMLS. You can go to this website to make it even easier! https://lnkd.in/e8RaueEY #IloveMuseums #SupportMuseums #SaveIMLS #exhibitions

Install complete! We're excited about our recent work with Potomac National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. The site now includes updated outdoor signage and artistic interior murals featuring native species. By the way, the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge actually includes three wildlife areas:?the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck, Featherstone, and Occoquan Bay. They're all located along the beautiful Potomac River in Virginia and feature easy hiking trails with gorgeous views. A favorite is the 2-mile Occoquan Bay Wildlife Refuge Loop! For folks who might be in the DMV, it will be a beautiful weekend to visit!

We're big fans of using smell as part of our exhibition experiences—but the idea isn’t exactly new. Check out this little-known history tidbit! Back in 1960, a technology called "Smell-O-Vision" tried to revolutionize the movie-going experience. It worked by injecting scents—up to 30 different ones—through the seats of a theater, triggered by the film’s soundtrack. There was only one movie ever produced for "smell-o-vision." It was called "Scent of Mystery," produced by Mike Todd Jr. Unfortunately, the concept didn’t stick (turns out, syncing smells with action is tricky), but the idea of using scent to create immersive experiences has lived on. We love using scent in our exhibitions to trigger memory, evoke emotion, and bring stories to life. What’s a smell that instantly transports you to a different time or place? Drop it in the comments!

It's been 5 years. We're reflecting on an article we posted during the pandemic. Read on, and add your thoughts to renewed conversations about museums in 2025.

?? Help Us Save the Freedom Rides Museum - AAAM Member! ?? We've received an urgent request to lend our voice. The?Freedom Rides Museum?in Montgomery, Alabama—a pivotal site in the Civil Rights Movement—is?at risk of being sold?by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This historic Greyhound bus station, where Freedom Riders courageously stood against segregation in 1961,?must be preserved?for future generations. As an?advocacy organization dedicated to protecting Black history,?AAAM is mobilizing efforts to save this landmark—but we need your help. ???Take Action Today: ??Sign AAAM’s Advocacy Letter?to Congressman Shomari Figures & Congresswoman Terri Sewell ???https://lnkd.in/erwPpDPR ??Amplify Awareness?– Share this post and spread the word! ??Support the Museum?– Plan a visit and show your commitment to its legacy. Together,?we can protect this national treasure.?Thank you for being part of this critical effort! #BlackMuseums #BlackMuseumsMatter #SaveFreedomRidesMuseum #BlackHistoryMatters #PreserveOurHistory #AAAMAdvocacy #CivilRightsLegacy

Accessibility alert! Check out this new publication, "The Guide to Effective Communication for People Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing," by Janice Lintz!

"Meet me in St. Louis" this week at the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums Building Museums Symposium! Be sure to chat with Quatrefoil Chief Operating Officer Roula Tsapalas and our friends from The Lab at The Peale! Drop us line if you want to get together!