THE iQUILT GOES WALL-TO-WALL IN TEXAS

Doug Suisman, who is leading the design team for Hartford's iQuilt Plan, will present the city's culture-based urban design plan to an audience of museum administrators from around the country when the American Association of Museums (AAM) convenes for its annual conference on May 23-26 in Houston. Suisman has organized a panel called "Wall-to-Wall: Connecting Cultural Assets in Hartford, Houston and Pittsburgh." He explained, "museums across the country are breaking out of their walls to connect with their urban environments and other cultural institutions - the panel is designed for museum leaders and staff of urban museums who are looking for both inspiration and practical steps for going 'wall-to-wall': moving beyond their traditional boundaries to connect physically with the surrounding environment and with other cultural institutions." The session will showcase three innovative cultural districts where museums have been leaders in forging the physical and institution links: host city Houston's Museum District, Pittsburghʼs Charm Bracelet, and Hartfordʼs iQuilt. The three case studies offer a range of scales, strategies, and lessons for success.