Three Years of Dala Projects: A Reflection on Wonder, Work, and What Comes Next

As Dala Projects enters its third year, I’ve found myself reflecting on what inspired me to start this company, what keeps me motivated, and where we’re heading. The past three years have been a blend of persistence, partnership, and purpose — all shaped by experiences that started long before Dala was born.

A Spark of Wonder

Growing up, I didn’t live near a major museum. My family didn’t have much of an entertainment budget, and museum visits weren’t part of our routine — except for the occasional school field trip. But those few moments of exposure left an imprint.

I remember visiting the Science Museum of Minnesota and seeing an IMAX film about Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to the South Pole. The drama, the danger, the sheer human will to survive — I was spellbound. On another occasion, at a small nature center, I reached my hand into a series of wooden boxes, trying to identify what I felt inside. An animal hide. A pine cone. A feather. That simple, tactile experience showed me that learning could be felt, not just seen. Even a trip to the local library showed me what an institution was and what it could offer me - limitless knowledge, fantasy, and wonder through an abundance of books.

Those early encounters with discovery and curiosity changed me. They shaped how I see the world — and how I believe learning could feel for others.

A Winding Path to Purpose

I told myself, even as a kid, that one day I’d work in a museum. Years later, after finishing my undergraduate studies during the global financial crisis, I set out to do just that. I applied to 135 jobs in the museum field. I volunteered, interned, moved cities, joined every lecture and student group I could find. And still — it didn’t work. I gave up. I let it be what it was: a dream.

Then, something shifted. I reconnected with a company I had once interned for — one that specialized in traveling exhibitions. They worked with museums around the world every day. I got the job without even trying - it was meant for me. That was thirteen years ago.

That experience changed everything. It showed me that I could be part of the museum ecosystem in a different way — not as a curator or educator, but as a connector. Someone who helps museums share extraordinary stories and reach new audiences. The work was invigorating — a perfect blend of creativity and logistics, imagination and business.

Why I Started Dala Projects

Years later and with much more experience behind me, I started Dala Projects. I did this for the little girl in me who believes in the power of access — that a single moment of wonder can shape a lifetime. When I was a kid, I didn’t have frequent access to museums, but I had a library card, a curious mind, and those few transformative experiences that opened my world. That sense of discovery never left me.

My career began in the arts, surrounded by old masters and modern visionaries, and eventually led me to the world of traveling exhibitions — where I discovered the magic of connecting museums with new audiences and ideas. Dala Projects brings those two paths together: the creative and the practical, the imaginative and the sustainable.

The Work Today — and Tomorrow

Today, Dala Projects helps museums share experiences that inspire curiosity and connection — while strengthening their ability to thrive in a changing landscape. Through every exhibition we create or distribute, our goal is simple: to help museums reach more people, generate meaningful revenue, and continue inspiring wonder for generations to come.

Traveling exhibitions are more than logistical enterprises; they are engines of access and sustainability. They help museums attract visitors, build community, and reinforce the trust that makes cultural spaces so vital. In every project, I see a reflection of that kid who reached into a wooden box and discovered something new — the spark that still drives everything I do.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one moment — one touch, one question, one spark — to change the way we see the world.

And this week, I was thrilled to learn that I have been named one of Blooloop’s Top 50 Museum Influencers for 2025. It’s a recognition I share with our team, clients, and partners — all of whom make the work of Dala Projects possible.

Here’s to What’s Next

Three years in and we’re just getting started.

What’s next for Dala Projects builds on what’s always guided us: curiosity, creativity, and care. We’re continuing to grow our network of museum partners, develop exhibitions and experiences that inspire awe, and strengthen the financial sustainability of cultural institutions around the world.

Here’s to the next chapter — to curiosity, courage, and the communities we continue to inspire.

Carrie Beth Reid

President & Founder of Dala Projects