Pivoting from Physical to Virtual Exhibition: A University Museum and Library Collaboration during COVID-19

FAIN: HC-276447-20

Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO 80521-2807)
Katie C. Knowles (Project Director: May 2020 to August 2021)

Partial salary for ten museum and library staff positions to develop a virtual collection and exhibit on the seven-decade history of the university museum of clothing and textile design.

This project forms a collaborative team with the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising and Colorado State University (CSU) Libraries to leverage university resources to fund existing positions for humanities workers involved in the development and realization of the virtual exhibition, "Threads of our Community: A History of the Avenir." and to prevent disruption of this project because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The exhibition traces the growth of the Avenir Museum from its beginnings as a small teaching collection in the 1950s to its current form as a state-of-the-art museum facility with a collection of approximately 25,000 historic clothing and textile artifacts. This project engages the public in learning about the importance of university collections not only for students, but also for fostering meaningful connections between campus and community. [edited by staff]

Media Coverage

Punch bowls and that purple dress (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Katie Knowles
Publication: CSU Source
Date: 7/23/2020
Abstract: Newsletter article describing research for the exhibit project with an announcement at the end regarding NEH CARES award
URL: https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/punch-bowls-and-that-purple-dress/

Digital newsletter print ad (Media Coverage)
Publication: Stay Connected
Date: 9/15/2020
Abstract: The Fall 2020 CSU Libraries newsletter “Stay Connected” was distributed to subscribers digitally in September. The bottom half of the final page included a teaser advertisement for the virtual exhibition.
URL: http://lib.colostate.edu/stay-connected/

Looking back, looking forward (Media Coverage)
Author(s):
Publication: CSU Source
Date: 10/2/2020
Abstract: Article by Jeff Dodge, Writer & Senior Public Relations Specialist in the Department of Public Relations for Colorado State University. The article details the project, including information about the NEH grant, and provides links to the virtual exhibition, the Mountain Scholar collection, and the Alumni Association virtual program registration page. It is published in CSU’s online news outlet, and has been shared in a university-wide CSU Source newsletter and the Avenir Museum’s digital newsletter distributed in October.
URL: https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/looking-back-looking-forward-avenir-museum-launches-virtual-exhibit-on-teaching-collection/

Collaboration and community connection (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Katie Knowles
Publication: CSU Source
Date: 10/14/2020
Abstract: Article by Avenir Museum curator and project director Katie Knowles. The article details the project, including information about the NEH grant, and provides links to the virtual exhibition and the Mountain Scholar collection. It is published in CSU’s online news outlet, and has been shared in the Avenir Museum’s digital newsletter distributed in October.
URL: https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/collaboration-and-community-connection/

Associated Products

Threads of Our Community: A History of the Avenir Museum (Exhibition)
Title: Threads of Our Community: A History of the Avenir Museum
Curator: Katie Knowles
Abstract: Exhibition about the people who helped grow the collection and build the Avenir Museum. Presents the collective, community-supported history of a museum whose name, in French, means “future.” Features curated themed exhibition pages with digitized institutional archival materials and two user contribution pages for visitors to submit memories about the museum/collection, and ideas for future exhibitions/programs/etc.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://threadsofcommunity.omeka.net/
Primary URL Description: Leads to the landing page of the exhibition. The address format is provided through Omeka's managed hosting service.

Threads of Our Community: A History of the Avenir Museum (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Threads of Our Community: A History of the Avenir Museum
Author: Trista Barker
Author: Helen Baer
Abstract: Threads of Our Community: A History of the Avenir Museum is a virtual exhibition of the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising, created in part with funding from a CARES grant during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The concept for the exhibition was originally developed before the pandemic hit and planned to open with a physical exhibition in Fall 2020. Unable to host any events in physical spaces, the virtual exhibition then became an avenue for bringing humanities and education to the public. The exhibition is a collection of digitized items showcasing the growth Avenir Museum has undergone. The Avenir began as a small teaching collection in the 1950s and has since grown into a collection of approximately 25,000 historic clothing and textile artifacts, housed in a state-of-the-art museum facility. This digital collection consists of materials from the virtual exhibition dated 1986 to 2010 and including photographs, brochures, catalogs, newspaper articles, and photographic slides.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://mountainscholar.org/handle/10217/211458
Primary URL Description: Links to this collection in Mountain Scholar, the digital repository for all Colorado State University archival materials and collections.
Access Model: Open access

Curator Conversations: Threads of Our Community (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Curator Conversations: Threads of Our Community
Abstract: In conjunction with the virtual exhibition Threads of Our Community: A History of the Avenir Museum, join current Curator Dr. Katie Knowles as she covers projects and events that make up Threads of Our Community, and listen as she answers viewers burning curatorial questions. This conversation was filmed at the Avenir Museum, including behind-the-scenes in the museum’s collection storage room. Watch this recording for fabulous story-telling about the museum’s fascinating textile treasures.
Author: Colorado State University Alumni Association
Date: 11/5/2020
Location: Filmed Fort Collins, CO; virtual program
Primary URL: https://youtu.be/zVhKkBiNl-w
Primary URL Description: Link to YouTube video recording of virtual program posted on Colorado State University Alumni Association channel.
Secondary URL: https://col.st/GP1dh
Secondary URL Description: Hyperlink to Excel spreadsheet containing attendee responses from post-evaluation survey.

Curator Conversations: Threads of Our Community Part 2 (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Curator Conversations: Threads of Our Community Part 2
Abstract: In conjunction with the virtual exhibition Threads of Our Community: A History of the Avenir Museum, join current Curator Dr. Katie Knowles and Assistant Curator Megan Osborne ('04) in conversation with Curator Emerita Linda Carlson (‘88). Listen in as Linda remembers projects and events over her 23 years as curator, then ask your burning curatorial questions. This conversation will be filmed at the Avenir Museum, including behind-the-scenes in the museum’s collection storage room. Mark your calendars for what promises to be an evening of fabulous story-telling about the museum’s fascinating textile treasures. This project has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Author: Colorado State University Alumni Association
Date: 4/19/2021
Location: Filmed in Fort Collins, CO; virtual program
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ggRYSsKucs
Primary URL Description: Link to recording of program posted on CSU Alumni Association's YouTube channel.

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