A Guitar That Teaches Civil Rights, with Michele Y. Smith

Making the Museum

What is the “humanities gap” — and why is it a huge opportunity for museums?

Why can’t everybody be a philanthropist for the day? What does “cultural literacy” mean, and how can it unlock new approaches to the collections we put on display? Why could a shortfall in humanities funding suggest new ways for museums to be relevant? Why shouldn’t a museum buy products and services from its own community?

Michele Y. Smith (CEO, Museum of Popular Culture) joins host Jonathan Alger (Managing Partner, C&G Partners) to talk about “A Guitar That Teaches Civil Rights”.

Along the way: preserving 80,000 artifacts, how revenue drives mission, and why George Clooney’s Batman costume is missing its cape.

Talking Points:

1. MoPOP: a museum designed like a guitar melting.
2. Schools have a humanities gap — museums can help.
3. How “cultural literacy” makes subjects relevant.
4. How a guitar can teach civil rights…
5. … and WALL-E can teach climate change.
6. Achieving financial independence from the founder.
7. Why not open the annual gala to the community?
8. Why not do F&B with local and BIPOC vendors?

How to Listen:

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-the-museum/id1674901311

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/6oP4QJR7yxv7Rs7VqIpI1G

Everywhere
https://makingthemuseum.transistor.fm/

Guest Bio:

Michele Y. Smith is the CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), known for her mission-focused leadership in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing business development, operations, and finance. Her approach prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and mentoring, advocating for philanthropy's democratization through pop culture. Previously, as Chief Business & Financial Officer at Woodland Park Zoo, Smith led the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving significant growth in revenue, events, and guest services with her dynamic strategy.

About MtM:

Making the Museum is hosted (podcast) and written (newsletter) by Jonathan Alger. This podcast is a project of C&G Partners | Design for Culture. Learn about the firm's creative work at: https://www.cgpartnersllc.com

Show Links:

Michele Y. Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleysmith/
Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP) Online: https://www.mopop.org/
MoPOP’s “Massive: The Power of Pop Culture”:
https://www.mopop.org/exhibitions-plus-events/exhibitions/massive-the-power-of-pop-culture/

MtM Show Contact:

https://www.makingthemuseum.com/contact
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanalger
[e-mail]
https://www.cgpartnersllc.com

MtM, the Newsletter:

Like the episode? Try the newsletter. Making the Museum is also a one-minute email on exhibition planning and design for museum leaders, exhibition teams and visitor experience professionals. Subscribe here: https://www.makingthemuseum.com