Creating a Roadmap for the Future of Music at the Smithsonian A summary of the main discussion points generated at a two-day conference organized by the Smithsonian Music group, a pan- Institutional committee, with the support of Grand Challenges Consortia Level One funding June 2012 Produced by the Office of Policy and Analysis (OP&A) Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Background ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Conference Participants ..................................................................................................................... 5 Report Structure and Other Conference Records ............................................................................ 7 Key Takeaway ........................................................................................................................................... 8 Smithsonian Music: Locus of Leadership and an Integrated Approach .............................. 8 Conference Proceedings ...................................................................................................................... 10 Remarks from SI Leadership ......................................................................................................... 10 TOPIC ONE: Taking Stock ................................................................................................................ 12 Thought Leaders’ Impressions of Smithsonian Music ........................................................... 12 Music at the Smithsonian Video ................................................................................................... 13 Staff Presentations ............................................................................................................................ 13 Staff Performances ........................................................................................................................... 14 Taking Stock Recap ......................................................................................................................... 16 TOPIC TWO: Assessing Opportunities .......................................................................................... 16 The Power of Music .................................................................................................................... 16 Conservation and Digitization of the Collections ............................................................... 17 Technology..................................................................................................................................... 18 Audiences and Publics ................................................................................................................ 18 Music Literacy .............................................................................................................................. 19 Music First ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Emerging Themes and Programmatic Directions .................................................................... 20 Music AND .................................................................................................................................... 21 Quest Scenario .............................................................................................................................. 21 Bring Music out on the Front Porch ....................................................................................... 22 Convenor......................................................................................................................................... 22 SI as Both Expert and “Humble Inquirer” ............................................................................ 22 Partnerships .................................................................................................................................... 23 Real Estate ...................................................................................................................................... 23 What’s Old is New ....................................................................................................................... 24 1 Programmatic Activities ................................................................................................................. 24 Collections and holdings ............................................................................................................ 24 Research and publications ......................................................................................................... 24 Exhibitions ..................................................................................................................................... 25 Programs and activities ............................................................................................................... 25 Education and interpretation ..................................................................................................... 25 People and expertise .................................................................................................................... 26 TOPICS THREE AND FOUR: Setting Priorities and Drawing a Roadmap ....................... 26 Vision for Music at the Smithsonian ...................................................................................... 26 Roadmap ......................................................................................................................................... 27 I. Access – Interconnected System .................................................................................. 28 II. Programmatic Coordination .......................................................................................... 29 III. Annual Flagship Music Activities ............................................................................... 31 IV. Year-Round Advancement – SI Music Value + Reputation ................................ 33 Appendix A: Conference Agenda ..................................................................................................... 34 Appendix B: Thought Leaders’ Biographies ................................................................................. 36 Appendix C: Richard Kurin’s Remarks .......................................................................................... 42 Appendix D: Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats .............................................. 44 Appendix E: Music at the Smithsonian, Highlights .................................................................... 47 Appendix F: Music Holdings Listed By Museum ....................................................................... 49 Appendix G: Curricula Vitae of Principal and Co-Investigators, Grand Challenges Consortia Level One Grant for “Creating a Roadmap for Music at the Smithsonian” ..... 55 2 Acknowledgements The conference planning committee wishes to recognize the many who participated in the two-day conference. For their insight and support, thanks to Richard Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture; Claudine K. Brown, Assistant Secretary for Education and Access; Marc Pachter, Acting Director, National Museum of American History; and Consortia Directors Michelle Delaney and Robert Leopold. Thanks to our outside “thought-leaders” for sparking and sustaining lively discussion: Marty Ashby, Sandra Gibson, Anya Grundmann, Joe Lamond, Tony Seeger, and for adroitly facilitating the meetings, Jonathan Katz. Appreciation, as well, to the many staff members and interns who participated. None of this would have been possible without support from internal Smithsonian Institution funds from the Consortium for Understanding the American Experience and the Consortium for World Cultures. Warm thanks to Carole Neves, Director, Office of Policy and Analysis, and her staff for providing superb support before, during, and after the conference. Special thanks to Kathleen Ernst and Claire Eckert for their inspired note-taking, skill at identifying and organizing relevant findings, and unflagging professionalism in creating this summary of the two-day conference. The Smithsonian Music Conference Planning Committee Richard J. Burgess John Edward Hasse Cynthia Adams Hoover Kennith Kimery Michael Pahn 3 Introduction Background Over the past two years, a pan-Institutional group of Smithsonian staff who work with music collections, exhibitions, research, publications, education, and live programming has met on an ad hoc basis to galvanize ideas and discussions about the potential of a more unified identity for music at the Smithsonian. This assembly herein referred to as the Smithsonian Music group, wishes to amplify collections access and care, and increase pan-Institutional programming and opportunities for audience participation. The Smithsonian Music group received a Level One grant from two Grand Challenges Consortia – Understanding the American Experience and World Cultures – to convene a two-day conference with high-level Thought Leaders from the wider music community, Smithsonian senior managers,