2020 KMA Award Winners
Congratulations to our 2020 KMA Award winners!
We had an excellent slate of submissions this year for awards, and we appreciate all of you who took the time out to apply and the committee members who were charged with the difficult task of choosing the winners.
Award of Excellence: Johnson County Museum, “Collect, Curate, Partner, Serve: Johnson County Museum’s Response to COVID-19”
In light of the pandemic, the Johnson County Museum staff launched and promoted a COVID-19 collecting initiative, created and installed a temporary exhibit within six weeks, and partnered with internal and external partners to curate a complementary community art exhibition that calls viewers to reflect, show resilience, and rebuild. These efforts represent the Johnson County Museum’s dedication to serving the community through innovative and engaging historical lessons, partnerships, and programming.
Graphic Design Award: Salina Art Center, “Birdwatchers: Limited Edition Exhibition Guide” and supplementary exhibition materials
This exhibition focused on artist-in-residence, Fidencio Fifield-Perez, who created new art for exhibition and engaged community members through workshops and activities that explore the immigrant experience through civic, artist, and pedagogical dialogues. A series of digital and print materials branded with a unique style connected to the artist’s work were developed, including envelope motifs, weaving patterns, and color schemes complementing the work in the gallery, social media presence, and various digital elements used for public programming. The 24-page exhibition guide was hand-stitched and included images of work in the exhibition, along with essays, artist bios, and Salina Art Center branding.
Technology Award: Exploration Place, “Camp in a Box”
This program was developed as their traditional science summer camps had to be abandoned due to COVID-19. Camp in a Box is a hybrid virtual and hands-on camp program offering campers with science activities, time to interact with educators and other participants, and 30 minutes each day with an expert in each field. Two virtual classrooms, including lighting, green screen, sound, computers, and software were developed to accommodate this project, along with new webpages, marketing materials, and camp activities. Through creative marketing, use of technology, leveraging of relationships, and dedicated positive thinkers, Exploration Place was able to market and deliver a quality experience, exceed camp attendance and revenue goals, and receive wonderful feedback from camp parents.
Distinguished Service Award: Ann Miner, Prairie Museum of Art and History; NW Kansas Museum Coalition; Kansas Museums Association
For 20 years, Ann Miner has been involved in the Kansas Museum community. Starting in 2000 as a volunteer at the Prairie Museum of Art and History, she then moved into the role of board member in 2006, Education Director in 2010, and Director of the museum as of 2019. As Director, she then began leading the Prairie Museum of Art and History on a new path to a higher level of excellence. In 2016, the NW Kansas Museum Coalition was formed, and Ann has also become the de-facto president, secretary, and the go-to for questions and advice within their community. And in 2018, Ann joined the Kansas Museums Association board, which makes this award all the more special for us! Thank you for your service, Ann!
