News | Devon Akmon

Reflections on Leadership

December 18, 2017 News

As part of our capstone for the 2016-17 American Express NGen Fellows program with Independent Sector, our crew created a series of podcasts and blogs on emerging issues in the nonprofit sector. The first blog post, which I had the privilege to write, and the corresponding podcast by three of my talented colleagues, are now live. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of American Express or Independent Sector. As I reflect on the insightful commentary expressed in myRead More

TAKREEM Award for Cultural Excellence

November 27, 2017 News

On Saturday, November 25, 2017, the Arab American National Museum was honored with a TAKREEM award for Cultural Excellence in Amman, Jordan. TAKREEM, founded in 2009, aims to “honor Arab’s accomplishments and bring Arab achievers to the forefront of the globe stage, defying the negative perceptions that have plagued the region and becoming a source of inspiration to the Arab youth in their search for role models.” We are honored and humbled to be a TAKREEM 2017 laureate. This prestigiousRead More

Busy Week of Conference Presentations & Events

November 1, 2017 News

An incredibly busy week has come to an end. To kick things off, Independent Sector hosted its 2017 conference, Our Common Future, in Detroit. In addition to completing my American Express NGen Fellowship, I had the pleasure of hosting a the Detroit Inside And Out: Refugees And Immigration Tour at the Arab American National Museum as part of the conference program. Much gratitude to the forty people who choose to spend their morning learning about the museum and the localRead More

Interview with the Museum Archipelago podcast

August 31, 2017 News

I recently had the chance to speak with Ian Elsner, host of the podcast Museum Archipelago, about the work of the Arab American National Museum. Museum Archipelago is an “audio guide through the landscape of museums.” Our conversation, featured on episode 26, is now live.

Yalla Eat! Program Featured On NPR

August 29, 2017 News

The Arab American National Museum’s Yalla Eat! culinary program was recently featured on NPR’s The Salt. We’re incredibly honored our work is garnering national coverage. The tour is a key component of our institution’s work towards embedding museum experiences into the local community; dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions about Arab Americans; and working with the community to tell our story. Read on! Unlike most museums, the Yalla Eat! tours take people outside of the building and into the community. People whoRead More

Epicenter X: Saudi Contemporary Art

July 16, 2017 News

This past week, the Arab American National Museum opened a new exhibition entitled Epicenter X: Saudi Contemporary Art. Epicenter X represents the first exhibition of its kind from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to appear in Michigan. Epicenter X explores contemporary Saudi culture by promoting meaningful dialogue between Saudi artists and U.S. audiences. Furthermore, the exhibition sheds light on the vast diversity of contemporary artistic practice in Saudi Arabia. Cutting through the political discourse of media outlets and government officials, theRead More

Keynote at National Council on Public History’s Annual Meeting

April 30, 2017 News

A big thanks to the National Council on Public History for inviting me to deliver the keynote address at the organization’s annual meeting in Indianapolis last weekend. It was great connecting with colleagues from across the nation to explore the many ways public history enriches our society. And, a big thanks to those who woke early to attend my talk. Key Presentation for NCPH from Devon Akmon I would also like to give a big shout out to the conferenceRead More

What the Elimination of the NEA and NEH Means to Us

March 16, 2017 News

On March 16, President Donald J. Trump put forth his budget proposal and it calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), among other governmental agencies. These vital government programs have been pillars of cultural and intellectual production throughout our nation. Thousands of museums, libraries, and cultural institutions will be significantly impacted if these programs are eliminated. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation onRead More

Interview with Carol Bossert of The Museum Life

January 16, 2017 News

Last Friday I had the pleasure of speaking with Carol Bossert, host of the show The Museum Life, about the Arab American National Museum. It was big fun. Take a listen to the show!

2016-17 American Express NGen Fellowship

January 11, 2017 News

I’m very honored to have been selected to join such a talented and accomplished cohort of twelve nonprofit professionals taking part in the 2016-17 American Express NGen Fellows Program with the Independent Sector. Involvement within the fellowship program provides space for self-reflection, intellectual growth, and ongoing professional development. The program runs from November 2016 – October 2017, which began last year during the IS annual conference in Washington, D.C. I’m really looking forward to learning, sharing, and growing with this talentedRead More