WFFMM-NAAM Conference 2022

This presentation will focus on my first three years at the National Corvette Museum and bringing an “outside of the box” approach to collections and exhibits at this single marque museum. When I was brought on staff as the Curator there was an unspoken rule that no vehicle other than a Corvette could be displayed in the Corvette Museum, except for in a 5500 sq. ft. flexible exhibit space at the very end of the Museum tour prior to entering the Corvette Store. There was also an unspoken rule that only Corvettes would be in the permanent collections of the National Corvette Museum. Both unspoken rules were clearly leaving the Museum staff struggling to change the Museum exhibits enough to break returning members’ idea that “the Museum never changes.” This presentation will look at the ways the National Corvette Museum has begun stepping outside of the comfort zone of Corvette only and finding unique collaborations with other museums, our membership, and private collectors from around the United States. These collaborations have led to creative opportunities for the Museum, brought new attention to the Museum, and led to overall positive changes at the National Corvette Museum. Although the majority of responses to these new ways of thinking has been positive, there has been push back from some of our membership. The presentation will also look at how to react to negative feedback (including social media attacks) and how important a united front from museum staff and board is in creating new collaborations and opportunities.