News | Devon Akmon

A Creative Call to Action

August 10, 2020 News

In June, Science Gallery Detroit launched an open call for a new Rapid Residency program to prompt innovative responses about the current social challenges impacting Detroiters. The application period extended from June 22 to July 22 and was open writers, artists, musicians, photographers, videographers, dancers, designers, and all other types of creators and makers residing in Detroit. After receiving dozens of inspired applications, we’re pleased to announce the five awardees of this novel initiative! The winners are Amira Hanafi, CheriseRead More

Building Bridges While Fighting Racism and Xenophobia

June 1, 2020 News, Uncategorized

Today I had the privilege and honor of serving on a timely and important panel — Building Bridges While Fighting Racism and Xenophobia — presented as part of the 2020 American Alliance of Museums’ virtual conference. This timely conversation comes on the heels of the tragic and unnecessary murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by the Minneapolis police. This tragedy is yet another reminder of the systemic racism that persists in our nation and its institutions, which includes museums.Read More

This Pandemic Life

April 3, 2020 Adventure

Life has been turned upside down over the last four weeks. Our nation, and the rest of the world, is trying to navigate the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic. So much has changed in such a short amount of time. One month ago I was planning a robust amount of travel during my last few weeks of work as a consultant. Some travel was for business and some for pleasure. This included trips to Boston, St. Louis, and Louisville.Read More

A New Professional Journey

April 2, 2020 News

On April 1, 2020, I began a new professional journey as director of Science Gallery Detroit. I’m both honored and thrilled to lead this work on behalf of Michigan State University. I’m looking forward to working with the talented Science Gallery Detroit team, our colleagues at Michigan State University, and our partners throughout the international Science Gallery Network. Here’s the official press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Michigan State University Names Devon Akmon the Director of Science Gallery Detroit DETROIT (MarchRead More

Pro Bono Consultations in a Time of Crisis

March 25, 2020 News

The DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland will offer pro bono consultations to any U.S.-based non-profit arts or culture organization between March and June 2020, as a response to the mounting effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. The initiative recognizes that, due to a wave of closures and cancellations nationwide, arts and culture organizations are navigating unprecedented circumstances. Click here for more info on the initiative.

“Practical Steps in a Time of Uncertainty.” — A note to arts and cultural administrators from our firm

March 18, 2020 News

My colleagues Michael Kaiser (Chairman) and Brett Egan (President) have penned a message to arts and cultural administrators in response to the current pandemic: March 16, 2020 Dear Friends: We write in recognition of the severe hardship faced by many Americans in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, and in solidarity with our colleagues in the arts and culture sector who face an increasingly daunting array of challenges. Not only have ticket sales and entry fees been lost, but manyRead More

Cycling the Erie Canal Trail

October 20, 2019 Adventure

Several years back, in 2008 to be precise, we traveled to New England for a vacation filled with exploration in the outdoors. Our journey took us to both the Adirondacks in New York and the White Mountains in New Hampshire. We climbed Mount Marcy in the ADK and Mount Washington in the White’s Presidential Range; both the high points in their respective state. However, one of the highlights of this trip was an early stop early in Rochester, NY toRead More

Hiking The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail

July 7, 2019 Adventure

On Thursday, the Fourth of July, Dharma and I set out to hike the 36-mile Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. We’ve been meaning to hike this route for some time and the long weekend finally provided an opportunity to give it a go. On Thursday, we hiked from Portage Lake (starting point in Chelsea) to Horseman’s Camp, which was approximately 14 miles of hiking. It was a tough day. The temperatures were hot and humid. We found ourselves caught in a thunderstorm mid-wayRead More

Sydney, Australia | May 2019

June 30, 2019 Adventure

It was a real treat to visit Sydney, Australia this past May. We had the pleasure of attending multiple programs and events hosted in conjunction with Vivid Sydney. For the uninitiated, Vivid Sydney is an annual festival of light, music, and ideas. In addition to enjoying some amazing light installations and projections along Circular Quay, The Rocks, Royal Botanic Garden, Darling Harbour, there was also an impressive music program. We had the pleasure of catching the Cure’s 30th anniversary performanceRead More

Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon

April 28, 2019 Adventure

Yesterday I completed my second marathon of the year and fifth overall. The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon here in Louisville was a nice event. The weather was sunny and warm and the course was scenic. I had previously run the miniMarathon (a half marathon) and found the course to be flat, fast, and fun. I was expecting the same for the full marathon. The truth be told, the course was fast and fun. However, it certainly was not flat. TheRead More