Press Release - Museum on Main Street

Sample <strong>Press</strong> <strong>Release</strong>: Key Ingredients: PRE TOURLocal Contact: [local press contact name and number]State Council Contact: [name and number]Smithsonian Contact: Jennifer Schommer, 202.633.3121; schommerj@si.edu[date]Smithsonian Exhibition Explores the Diverse Food Traditions of AmericaThe [insert venue name], in cooperation with [insert name of state humanities council], will host thelocal showing of Key Ingredients: America by Food, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibitionwhich delves into the historical, regional and social traditions that merge in everyday meals andcelebrations of the American table. The exhibition will be on view beginning [opening date] andcontinuing through [closing date] and will give [venue name] an opportunity to celebrate theregion’s food heritage.[Insert venue name] and the surrounding community has been expressly chosen by the [name ofstate humanities council] and the Smithsonian Institution to host Key Ingredients as part of the<strong>Museum</strong> on Main Street project – a national/state partnership to bring exhibitions and programs torural cultural organizations. The exhibition will tour [number] communities in [name of state] from[start of state tour] through [end of stat tour]; an itinerary is attached.Through a selection of artifacts, photographs and illustrations, Key Ingredients examines howculture, ethnicity, landscape and tradition influence the foods and flavors we enjoy across thenation. The exhibition looks at the evolution of the American kitchen and how food industries haveresponded to the technological innovations that have enabled Americans to choose an ever-widervariety of frozen, prepared and fresh foods.An interactive website, www.keyingredients.org, has been developed in conjunction with theexhibition. The site invites people across the country to share their family recipes and food stories,learn about other food traditions and identify favorite small town eateries.“We are very pleased to be able to bring Key Ingredients to our area,” said [venue spokesperson’sname, title]. “We hope that it will inspire many to become even more involved in the cultural life ofour community.”“Allowing all of our state’s residents to have access to the cultural resources of our nation’spremiere museum is a priority of the [state humanities council]”, said [state council executivedirector’s name, title]. “With this special tour, we are pleased to be working with [local venue nameand community name] to help develop local exhibitions and public programs to compliment theSmithsonian exhibition.” Such free events include [insert exhibition highlights and public programhighlights here].Key Ingredients is part of <strong>Museum</strong> on Main Street, a unique collaboration between theSmithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across thenation, and local host institutions. To learn more about Key Ingredients and other <strong>Museum</strong> onMain Street exhibitions, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.Support for <strong>Museum</strong> on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. [Insertstate/local sponsor information, if applicable]

SITES connects millions of Americans with their shared cultural heritage through a wide range ofart, science and history exhibitions. State humanities councils, located in each state and U.S.territory, support community-based humanities programs that highlight such topics as local history,literature and cultural traditions. The [local venue name] serves the local community by [briefexplanation of host’s mission.] To learn more, visit www.sites.si.edu, [state council web address]and [local host web address—if applicable.]####[Insert venue information: address, contact number, and hours of operation][Insert state council information: address, contact person, phone/email]