The Carnegie Museum of Natural History has launched the Center for World Cultures. This is an effort to leverage the museum's research, exhibits, and public programming to highlight how different cultures, past and present, shape modern-day challenges and issues, and to basically highlight the human experience and its effects on the planet.
"Humans have had an enormous impact on it, both positively and negatively. We can't extricate humans from the natural environment. Since we're at a natural history museum, we want to help people understand how humans are a very important factor in the natural world," said Sandra Olsen, PhD, director of the Center.
This is the third of five new strategic centers at the museum. In collaboration with the Center for Lifelong Science Learning, the Center for World Cultures will create and implement live demonstrations, performances, and temporary exhibitions that examine timely cultural and social issues.
The center's first project is bringing Read My Pins: The Madeline Albright Collection to Pittsburgh.
"She made statements in her many important meetings with high officials by wearing a particular type of pin that would send a message to those officials about what she hoped to accomplish in that meeting, and she herself will be here," said Olsen.
The exhibit will feature more than 200 pins from the former secretary of state's collection. It will open Monday, December 12, and run through early March.
