Museum
Consulting & Curatorial Services
Ed Youngblood is a skilled historical researcher, writer,
and exhibit planner who can serve as sole curator, or as a member of
a curatorial team. His skills include the creation of exhibit concepts,
text writing, historical research, interfacing with artists and exhibit
designers, providing support for administrative and public relations
personnel, and working to a deadline. Curatorial services can be provided
under contract, or with compensation based on hourly service. His previous
works include:
Women & Motorcycling
Youngblood
was a driving force behind the creation of the American Motorcycle Heritage
Foundation in 1982, and the opening of the Motorcycle Heritage Museum
in 1990 (later to be expanded and renamed The Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Museum in 1999). One of the exhibits presented at the grand opening
of the Motorcycle Heritage Museum was “Women & Motorcycling,”
honoring American motorcycling’s great female pioneers, from 1907
to the present era. In 2000, Youngblood was invited to update the Women
& Motorcycling Exhibit for a national conference on women and motorcycling
that was to take place that
year. For this task he invited motorcycle journalist Kim Barlag to serve
as co-curator. Redesigned as a traveling exhibit, Women & Motorcycling
has since appeared in more than 15 cities, including motorcycling’s
largest annual gatherings at Daytona Beach and Sturgis.
Visit
the Museum Site
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The
Art of the Motorcycle Exhibition
Following
the spectacular success of The Art of the Motorcycle Exhibition in New
York and Chicago, Youngblood was hired
by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation as a curatorial adviser to support
the exhibition’s international tour.
Working with motorcycle collectors in Europe and the United States,
he assisted with t
he
acquisition of replacement motorcycles for the exhibit in Bilbao, Spain,
and the development of the exhibition’s largest rendition at the
Guggenheim Las Vegas, which opened in October, 2001. His responsibilities
included the acquisition of motorcycles, consultation on the floor plan,
and rewriting labels for the motorcycles on display.
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A Century of Indian
Aside
from Harley-Davidson, America’s greatest motorcycle brand was
Indian, founded in 1901. In celebration of the centennial of Indian,
the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum mounted “A Century of Indian,
Presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance,” and selected Youngblood
to curate the exhibit. The exhibit contained over 15,000 words of text,
more than a dozen individual exhibits, over 50 rare motorcycles, and
was illustrated with giant graphics from the Museum’s extensive
collection of early Indian sales literature. The catalog for the exhibit,
also written by Youngblood, won gold awards from the International Automotive
Media Association and the Ohio Museum’s Association.
Visit
the Museum Site
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The Art of the Wheel
In 2002, The Ohio State University retained Youngblood to curate a 
motorcycle
exhibit at the LeFevre Hall Art Gallery on its Newark, Ohio campus. Featuring the photography of Shawn Downey,
the exhibit drew from the permanent collection
and library of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. It featured a display
of literature and more than a dozen motorcycles ranging from a 1914
British Triumph to a 1985 Harley-Davidson, depicting how motorcycle
technology, design, and style have evolved over the past century.
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Heroes
of Harley-Davidson
In
celebration of the centennial of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company,
the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has presented its most elaborate,
ambitious, and costly exhibit yet, entitled Heroes of Harley-Davidson,
Presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance. As exhibit curator, Youngblood
worked with a talented graphic design team under the direction of Museum
Director Mark Mederski. Featuring over 50 motorcycles and several hundred
artifacts, the exhibit honors more than a hundred men and women who
contributed to the Motor Company’s success and longevity. Photos
and brief profiles of each individual are included, supported by extensive
on-line documentation through the 
Museum’s
web site. The exhibit also includes a fine art component, featuring
the work of five sculptors and graphic artists. Youngblood also edited
the official catalog for the exhibit, also
entitled “Heroes of Harley-Davidson.”
Visit
the Museum Site
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Non-Profit
Management Consulting During
Ed Youngblood’s tenure as president of the American Motorcyclist
Association, the organization doubled its membership, increased its
revenue five-fold, earned leadership status in the international
motorcycling community, created a public educational foundation,
and acquired a 23-acre property for its headquarters and new museum.
These gains came as the result of a strategic planning process he
developed and put in place for the Association. He believes strongly
that strategic planning for not-for-profit organizations should differ
in significant ways from the techniques usually applied to for-profit
entities. Based on this experience, Ed Youngblood provides consulting
and training services in governance, management, revenue development,
communication, strategic planning, and plan/budget development. Consulting
services can be provided under contract, or with compensation based
on hourly service.
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Public Speaking
Drawing on his more than 45 years of personal and professional experience
in motorcycling, Ed Youngblood is available to speak to clubs and
motorcycle organizations on a wide variety of topics involving motorcycle
history, the social and technological evolution of the motorcycle,
racing, leadership, and organizational development. Speaking engagements
can include book signings. Inquiries should be made at least 60 days
in advance of the meeting in question. Contact us for a presentation
specifically designed for your needs, and an appearance planned to
fit your budget.
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