Conference Exhibition Award
Berman Museum received an Honorable Mention in the Under $10,000 budget category in
recognition of the exhibition Danger, Deception, and Disguise
ANNISTON, ALABAMA, September, 23, 2021 — Berman Museum is pleased to announce they are a
recipient of the 2021 Southeastern Museums Conference Honorable Mention Award for in the Under
$10,000 budget category for the exhibition Danger, Deception, and Disguise. The SEMC Exhibition
Competition showcases the best in our profession and provides benchmarks for regional exhibition efforts
in southeastern museums.
“The Berman Museum is proud to receive this recognition from the Southeastern Museums Conference.
Danger, Deception, and Disguise is a fan favorite exhibition, as it dives into the secrets and mystery
surrounding espionage and some famous spies, all while showcasing a special spotlight to our founders,
the Bermans. It is an honor to receive this award as the Berman Museum celebrates the one-year
anniversary of this gallery’s opening and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the museum’s opening. It is a
great way to round out an already celebratory year. We thank the Southeastern Museums Conference for
this award. It means a lot to be recognized by our peers for the outstanding work of our staff. We also
thank our Boards and community for their continued support of Anniston Museums and Gardens!” says
Alan Robison, Executive Director of Anniston Museums and Gardens.
Danger, Deception, and Disguise explores the mysterious world of espionage and pays homage to Berman
Museum’s founders, Farley and Germaine Berman, whom met while spying on each other during WWII.
This gallery presents those who put their lives at risk serving undercover, as well as the materials and
objects used in covert actions taken as a result of intelligence gathering and analysis.
For many visitors, exhibitions are the public face of museums and effective planning, management of
resources, research and interpretation, collections care, public programs, publications, and fund raising all
contribute to the fulfillment of a museum’s mission. Expectations and standards were exceptionally high
for this year’s applicants. The SEMC Exhibition Competition received a record-breaking number of
applications from a wide variety of museums across the southeast.
The Exhibition Competition recognizes exhibitions for overall excellence or for stretching the limits of
content and design through innovation. Winning entries were well-designed exhibitions of merit with
educational value and demonstrated, respectful treatment of objects. Recipients of the awards were judged
by an appointed jury of museum professionals across the region who specialize in the curatorial studies
and exhibition design.
Award winners will be celebrated at the 2021 Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony on October 27, 2021 in
Chattanooga, Tennessee as well as in the Fall 2021 Edition of INSIDE SEMC, a digital publication of the
Southeastern Museums Conference. This designation recognizes Berman Museum’s contribution to
professional standards in Southeastern museums.
About Anniston Museums and Gardens:
Anniston Museums and Gardens transforms lives through history and nature. Home to the Anniston
Museum of Natural History, Berman Museum, and Longleaf Botanical Gardens, a wide array of worldly
artifacts and wild creatures awaits. Visiting Anniston Museums and Gardens allows guests to Explore
Your World without needing a passport! To learn more, visit www.ExploreAMAG.org.
About the Southeastern Museums Conference:
The Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC), a nonprofit membership organization, is an association
of museums, museum staff, independent professionals and corporate partners. We focus on the
Southeastern United State including: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and US
Virgin Islands.
SEMC works to:
- Provide educational and professional development opportunities
- Improve the interchange of ideas and information
- Encourage respect and collegiality
The Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and
welcoming conference experience for everyone. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any
form.
For more information about the Southeastern Museums Conference, visit https://www.semcdirect.net/