C&G Partners

As I visit museums across the country, I’m continually inspired by the unique ways they tell America’s story, provide impactful programs, and serve as beacons of culture and community for those near and far.   On October 12, we remember the union of Louis Armstrong and Lucille Wilson, an entertainer and dancer who performed at Harlem’s iconic venues, The Alhambra and The Cotton Club. Their anniversary holds special significance because it was Lucille who, after their honeymoon, made the pivotal decision to step off the road and purchase a home in Corona, Queens, where they would spend the rest of their lives and become integral members of their neighborhood.   This home, now the Louis Armstrong House Museum & Archives, serves as the cornerstone for preserving and promoting Armstrong's cultural, historical, and humanitarian legacy. The museum educates and inspires visitors by showcasing archival materials, offering public programs, and engaging with contemporary artists to foster new creations. In July, the museum earned the prestigious Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Medal, the nation’s highest honor awarded to libraries and museums for their significant impact on their communities. The Museum offers programs that speak to Armstrong’s legacy and meet the needs of their community – programs on home ownership, education, incarceration, public advocacy, and artistic creation.   I had the pleasure of visiting this gem in August and meeting with Executive Director Regina Bain and Director of Guest Experiences Adriana Carrillo Silva (Filstrup) for a tour. My mother (89) and I were captivated by their passion and the incredible two-decade journey it took to preserve the Armstrongs' house and open the Louis Armstrong Center. Located across the street from the museum, the Center now houses the world’s largest archive for a jazz musician—60,000 pieces strong—and features a 75-seat venue for performances, lectures, films, and educational programs. On the tour, they shared photos of Louis playing trumpet on his front stoop (yep, that's what we call it in NYC), they mingled with neighbors, and told us stories of the how the Armstrongs shared Louis’ music and their home with their neighborhood.   Lucille’s vision of homeownership made this all possible. After several attempts to convince Louis to buy a house, Lucille took the leap herself and bought the house with her own money and without Louis’ input.  In March 1943, she bought their home, which Louis came to love, living there until his passing in 1971.   If you haven't yet, I highly recommend visiting the Louis Armstrong House Museum—a true treasure in Queens.

Explore Asia is a new innovative educational experience and online learning platform developed in collaboration with the Asia Society Texas Center  in Houston. The project comes at a critical moment as society confronts increasing anti-Asian hate. The permanent exhibit was conceived to further the mission of the Asia Society to promote empathy and a better understanding of Asian and Asian-American cultures in Houston and beyond. This project was also developed in collaboration with Potion, with fabrication by Art Guild, Inc. Explore Asia focuses on five countries, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, with the intent to expand to include more countries in the future.

Fast, cheap, or good. Pick two. (Never all three.) 👇 Time, money, and quality — or scope — are the three most basic factors in exhibition and experience project delivery. (Or any project for that matter.) But these three are not independent — they are interdependent and interlocked. Given normal time and normal money, we can deliver normal quality. True. So what happens when one factor isn't normal? What if we’re asked to deliver faster, or cheaper, or better than normal? What if we’re asked to do two factors better than normal? All three? When should we say no? There's an old project manager’s rule of thumb to help with that. It's worth a look, even if you think you know it: Fast, cheap, or good. Pick two. ✅ Fast and cheap? --> OK, but it won’t be good. ✅ Fast and good? --> OK, but it won't be cheap. ✅ Cheap and good? --> OK, but it won't be fast. ❌ Fast, cheap, and good? --> Impossible. Pick two. This rule is so unbreakable, it’s called the “Iron Triangle” of project management. Here’s the thing: The next time you’re asked to deliver an exhibition project faster, cheaper, or better — and especially if someone expects all three — dust off this old rule of thumb: Fast, cheap, or good. Pick two. Warmly, Jonathan P.S. If that was interesting, try Making the Museum, the only newsletter — and podcast — on exhibition and experience planning for museum leaders, exhibition teams, and visitor experience professionals. (This 👆 was one newsletter.) Subscribe and listen at: makingthemuseum [dot] com MtM is a project of C&G Partners | Design for Culture.

Happy Pride Month from Optica! We’re proud to advance light science worldwide and celebrate the contributions the LGBTQ+ community makes to scientific discovery.

🏅 We're thrilled to share that Louis Armstrong House Museum has been selected as a recipient of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service! This prestigious honor reflects our commitment to preserving cultural heritage and serving our community. Institute of Museum and Library Services A big thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey - your support has been invaluable! #IMLS #LouisArmstrongHouseMuseum #CommunityImpact https://lnkd.in/eFN_YxPD

What is the “humanities gap” — and why is it a huge opportunity for museums? ** NEW PODCAST ** A Guitar That Teaches Civil Rights, with Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) 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. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + HOW TO LISTEN: Apple Podcasts https://lnkd.in/ejbfAr5y Spotify https://lnkd.in/efXhegGi Everywhere https://lnkd.in/gSCci2_b + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 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? 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://lnkd.in/ebuPuVfW 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://lnkd.in/e7bu8Vhy

What is the “humanities gap” — and why is it a huge opportunity for museums? ** NEW PODCAST ** A Guitar That Teaches Civil Rights, with Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) 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. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + HOW TO LISTEN: Apple Podcasts https://lnkd.in/ejbfAr5y Spotify https://lnkd.in/efXhegGi Everywhere https://lnkd.in/gSCci2_b + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 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? 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://lnkd.in/ebuPuVfW 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://lnkd.in/e7bu8Vhy