Public programs and community engagement help institutions remain connected to local audiences while still serving larger communities.
Lectures and film screenings, youth and family programs like summer camps and block parties, and social impact programs and partnerships are critical to reaching and maintaining local audiences and having a positive impact on the community.
Public Programs
A continual and creative offering of public programs, including film screenings, lectures and panel discussions, guided docent tours, and more bring in local audiences that may be less inclined to routinely visit. New content drives local visitation and interest, and offers visitors a free or low cost way to provide access to The National WWII Museum’s collections and exhibits, content, staff experts, and special guests.
Community Engagement
Our team has developed partnerships and programs locally with the New Orleans Public Library, the local VFW, churches and synagogues, and more to offer free or reduced admission and social impact programs designed to help distribute curriculum materials, scarves, and other museum services to students, teachers, and veterans in the greater New Orleans area. Select programs including the Knit Your Bit scarf campaign have been expanded nationally through partnerships with like-minded institutions.
Youth and Families
One of the challenges in working at a museum dedicated to telling the story of war has been making programs and content that are accessible to younger audiences. Through summer camps, a youth volunteer corps, the annual family block party, and hands-on family workshops, we have been able to bring the stories of World War II to children of all ages and their families, including the development of a hands-on STEM Innovation Gallery on campus.