RUSSIA 
2007
St. Petersburg
June 4–7,
2007
Political History Museum Consulting.
Barbara Charles, principal of design firm Staples & Charles, returned to St. Petersburg to discuss an ongoing exhibition and architectural planning project with the State Museum for the Political History of Russia.
Staples & Charles have been working on an exhibition and planning project that includes a new “core” exhibition about Russian political history since 1800 together with architectural planning for how the visitor experience should be organized. This includes plans for a new addition. Evgeny Artemov, Director of the Political History Museum, reported that the drawings are essentially complete, and they are going through the city review process. He is currently working on obtaining the funding necessary to complete the project.
During two days of meetings at the museum, the idea for a vehicle to discuss the role of museums in promoting civil engagement evolved into a plan for a small conference among equals involving the directors of Russia’s leading history and political museums and equivalent American institutions.
The importance of such a gathering is threefold: it is an opportunity for some Russian museums that are not as engaged in civic issues as the Political History Museum to be inspired to try innovative ideas; it is an opportunity for American museums to share some of their ideas and benefit from Russian museums’ experiences; and it is a chance to initiate long-term relationships between American and Russian museums.
Subsequently, Blair Ruble, director of the Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center, has joined the team of organizers. Working with Dr. Ruble, the concept was further refined to a “roundtable” conference, a format particularly conducive to productive discussions. Possible participants were identified and a draft program was agreed upon. The event is presently scheduled for the second week of November 2008.
Ms. Staples also met with Mary Kruger, Consul General, to share plans for the conference and to elicit support from the Consulate.
Following the meetings, Jillian Poole received the following very gratifying email from Mr. Artemov.
Dear Jillian,
Thank you very much for organizing our meeting with Barbara!
The in-depth discussion of the seminar theme and core issues to be considered was, indeed, our most relevant need. As a result of our two fruitful days together, we have arrived at a thought-through and rich in content seminar program, and identified the potential participants on both Russian and American sides. The issue of civil engagement, involvement of the young people into active participation in the life of the society, is nowadays one of the most pressing challenges in both our countries. For the seminar participants it will, doubtless, be most useful to exchange their opinions, views, approaches, solutions, experiences and practices on the related to this theme topics that our world society is now concerned with.
We fully recognize that without your assistance the seminar idea would remain unfeasible. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your many year support of our museum and its projects, but, most of all, for our wonderful friends Barbara, Bob and, of course, Jonathan, whom we would never have met without you, Jillian.
With deepest regards,
Evgeny Artemov and all our team.
Jillian Poole will meet with the Consul General and Mr. Artemov in the early days of January in St. Petersburg to finalize dates and plans for this very important project.
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