39 IN LOOKING BACK AT MY FIRST 12 MONTHS AT SCMA, I’m struck by the impressive variety of programs that have introduced me to the museum’s collections and visitors. To share a few: On one Thursday afternoon in May, I joined students, local visitors and museum staff in our lower level Talk Back space for a discussion of two works by Dania González and Ana Mendieta led by Zarah Ferrari ‘18, the Brown Kennedy Museum Research Fellow in Art History. Zarah drew us into a thought-provoking and candid conversation that deepened my appreciation of the photographs, and created a sense of commonality among the assembled people. Once a month, on Second Fridays, we hear a growing buzz in the museum, as dozens of visitors pour into the atrium to dig into art-making projects that explore works on view. Some remarkable creations have emerged, including intricate constructions out of matchboxes and poker chips inspired by the smallest piece in our collection, the 1500-1510 rosary bead on display in the Second Floor galleries. During one of our new Thursday-evening programs—this one organized by the Latin American Students’ Organization—a crowd gathered around the Diego Rivera frescoes installed on the third floor as students spoke about ways in which Rivera’s works reflect the often violent histories between museums and indigenous people. Each of these events brought the museum to life in a distinct way. Providing living contexts for works of art—contexts in which works of art prompt conver- sation, reflection and new creativity—is, to me, what we mean when we speak about “connecting people to art, ideas and each other.” And while the museum is in many ways defined by our collections, it is the last term in our mission statement, the “each other,” that is both the prerequisite and the premise of what we do. A priority of the museum’s Strategic Plan is to encourage these connections by ensuring that our visitors have as rewarding and meaningful an experience at SCMA as possible. As our programs have reminded me, this is not simply about the experience of our visitors. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STAFF PERSPECTIVE: LILY FOSTER