ITC Community Conversations invites survey input through October 10

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 — The University of Texas at San Antonio today opened the first phase of community engagement for ITC Centennial 2068, a visioning process to envision the next 50 years of the Institute of Texan Cultures and its museum, the only resources in Texas devoted entirely to the state’s rich, diverse cultural history.

ITC Community Conversations invites UTSA students, staff, faculty and alumni, as well as the general public, to participate in the visioning process by watching a series of pre-recorded panel discussions with national experts on various topics related to museums and culture (see list below). These conversations are intended to explore possibilities for positioning the ITC as an exemplary institution that continues to thrive and define for future generations what it means to be a Texan.

“ITC Centennial 2068 is a community-driven process, and public participation is critical to its success.”

Participants can then complete a brief questionnaire to share their own ideas. The survey closes on Sunday, October 10, and is available in English and Spanish. Community members also have the option of visiting the UTSA Westside Community Center (1310 Guadalupe St.) to view the panel discussions and complete the questionnaire. The center is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“ITC Centennial 2068 is a community-driven process, and public participation is critical to its success,” said Kimberly Andrews Espy, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “ITC Community Conversations is the first step in gathering and transforming shared solutions into a strategic plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the institute and its museum. We want to hear your ideas—all viable options will be considered.”

UTSA launched ITC Centennial 2068 earlier this year and formally kicked off the visioning process this summer with the announcement of the members of the task forces and steering committee. As the visioning process progresses this year, there will be additional opportunities for public feedback.

ITC COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Imagining Institutes and Museums

Sample topics of conversation: How do model museums leverage the strengths and contributions of faculty, staff and students for the mutual benefit? How do model museums extend their reach and impact to those beyond their region?

Panelists:
Micah D. Parzen, CEO, Museum of Us at Balboa Park, San Diego
Dana Mitroff Silvers, Founder and Director, Designing Insights; Editor, Design Thinking for Museums
Kim Kanatani, Museum Director, Institute and Museum of California Art, University of California at Irvine
Ted Flato, Partner and Founder, Lake-Flato Architects
Susana Smith Bautista, museum expert, multidisciplinary scholar and author

Understanding Culture and History

Sample topics of conversation: What are the distinctive experiences that a model museum provides that enable learning and understanding of culture or history? What does a model museum do to create new thinking about—and better understanding of—cultural change or history?

Panelists:
Marla Berns, Former Director, Fowler Museum, UCLA
Debbie Racca Sittre, Interim City Clerk, City of San Antonio
Susana Smith Bautista, museum expert, multidisciplinary scholar and author
Shavonnah Roberts Schreiber, Managing Director, SNR Creative

Sustaining a Vibrant Institute

Sample topics of conversation: How do model museums/institutes deepen and broaden engagement with the community to sustain and enhance impact? How do model museums/institutes reach new audiences in the region? 

Panelists:
John Wetenhall, Director, George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum
Heather Welder Russo, Chief of Advancement, Witte Museum
Anna Berns, Director of Development, Blanton Museum, University of Texas at Austin
Charlie Walter, Director, Mayborn Museum, Baylor University
Carl Hamm, Partner, Alexendar Haas

Place Matters

Sample topics of conversation: How do model museums/institute become the “go-to place” for a rich experience in which a visitor wants to return or showcase to other visitors? How do model museums/institutes leverage their location to fully engage the range of different audiences to advance their mission?

Panelists:
Eduardo Diaz, Director, Smithsonian Latino Center; Interim Director, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino
Bill Shown, Pearl BUILD
Madison Smith, Principal, Overland Partners
Darryl Byrd, Managing Principal, ULTRAte Strategy LLC
Andi Rodriguez, Vice President of Cultural Placemaking, Centro SA 
Matt Brown, CEO, Centro SA

— Rebecca Luther