(re)defining open authority | mcn 2014 panel

A panel at the Museum Computer Network conference in Dallas, TX, November 2014. The panelists consider how museums embracing change in relationships with their communities have led to transformations and an evolution of authoritative structures within institutions and the museum community as a whole. The 90-minute, multi-presenter panel includes leading thinkers who will share their perspectives on this continuously developing model for museum authority. Lori Byrd Phillips opens the panel with a brief background on the genesis of the term Open Authority. Jeffrey Inscho will explore how open authority and co-creative projects have evolved at the Carnegie Museum of Art since the museum first began experimenting with the concepts in 2012. Elizabeth Bollwerk will explore evaluation of Open Authority projects. Porchia Moore will explore the rich possibilities of Open Authority in generating new visitors to the museum--especially those visitors of color who are traditionally underrepresented in these institutions. A forthcoming video link will include the resulting discussion, led by Koven Smith, as a means to instigate deeper dialogue around the presented ideas.