Matthew:

Hurrah for Baltimore!!!!  That is exactly the type of
collaboration I would like to see in our community.  Of
course there will be things that don't work well (but prior
to collaboration, didn't you have events that were less than
what you hoped for?) but I would be willing to bet that the
participating instittutions are happy with the arrangement.
I'm sure that the partiipating institutions have events and
programs independently of the collaboration.

I agree with Julia Moore, facilities should not be "forced"
to work together.  Some facilities are not prepared for the
rigors of trying to work together due to economic or
personnel situations.  However,  have always found it
stimulatin to get out and see how the other folks are
handling local matters--conferences are great for
determining regional and national responses to issues in
museums, but we still have to go home afterwards.
Collaborating with other local entities (not just
museums--we have worked with a theatre groups and a large
softball complex) has helped me to see the big picture
in our community as well as to think "out of the box."

Matthew, one of our problems is that I cannot convince other
entities to formalize the collaborating into an organization
or an association.  I would appreciate if you sent us some
of your information and examples of your work.

Thanks in advance!

Jay Smith
Executive Director
Reno County Museum
100 South Walnut
Hutchinson, Kansas  67501