Museum seeking volunteers for limited-run exhibit, which opens Jan. 26
The Putnam aims to ensure its incoming exhibit, “Race: Are We So Different?” is fully utilized as a springboard to conversation and deeper understanding of equity and inclusion during its four-month run in our community.
A Community Team is working with the Putnam to best achieve this goal. It includes volunteer leaders from business; education; chamber; government; and not-for-profits.
Together, the Putnam plans to offer businesses the opportunity to use the exhibit to open discussion about equity and inclusion in their workplace. There will be guides and facilitators available to enrich the exhibit experience and give employees an opportunity to find their way to actionable improvement.
Through science, history and cultural study, the traveling exhibit, opening Jan. 26 at the Putnam encourages visitors to explore human variation and its impact on our lives.
“This exhibit helps initiate the understanding process regarding race,” said Randy Moore, Community Team Member and President of Iowa American Water.
“It allows the opportunity for people to get answers to questions as opposed to making assumptions. Everyone in the QC will benefit from this exhibit, especially those who are trying to better understand what is happening in our country,” Moore added.
“It will benefit those who want to facilitate change and those who are serious about making this a better community.”
EXHIBIT VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Among the exhibit’s many offerings, “Race” will give groups the opportunity to discuss equity and inclusion in their workplace, facilitated by trained community members of the community who serve as exhibit volunteers.
The Putnam is seeking applications for volunteer discussion leaders and exhibit hosts willing to use their skills to enrich the exhibit experience for visitors and/or discussion groups.
Volunteers may devote a few hours each month or several hours a week from February to early June. Job descriptions and applications are on the Putnam website at www.putnam.org/volunteer.
MORE INFO ON RACE
“Race: Are We So Different?” was developed by the American Anthropological Association in conjunction with the Science Center of Minnesota and funded by the National Science Foundation and Ford Foundation.
The exhibit will be open seven days a week beginning Jan. 26, during the Putnam’s regular hours (Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.).
Exhibit admission is included in the price of general admission — $9 for adults, $8 for youth (ages 3-18) and free for Putnam members. Seniors, college students and military save $1 on admission.
More information will be available soon on the Putnam’s website, www.putnam.org.
“Race: Are We So Different?” at the Putnam is sponsored by the Regional Development Authority and Hubbell Waterman Foundation.
About the Putnam
The Putnam has been inspiring ideas, dialogue and interaction among people of all ages for 150 years. And today, we’re better than ever with hands-on fun for the whole family. Launch rockets or interact with a robot in the Science Center, “touch the untouchable” in the Augmented Reality Experience, visit our famous mummies in Unearthing Ancient Egypt, climb into a tree house in Black Earth | Big River or go back in time to see our region’s history in River, Prairie and People. Also experience internationally recognized traveling exhibits or take in a movie in the GIANT Screen Theater with a screen towering six stories tall. Our welcoming team is dedicated to helping you discover and explore in a friendly and engaging place.
For more information about current and upcoming events, exhibits and movies, visit putnam.org.
