Marissa, The Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation (a Standing
Professional Committee of AAM) publishes a Directory of Evaluators, with
listings of both consultants and just plain folks who are willing to give
free advice, including areas of expertise and experience. Contact me if you
want a copy. The cost is $15. Ellen

You wrote:
I was wondering if anyone could give some feedback or suggestions on my
current dilemma.  I have a potential large donor who asked how our
museum
plans to evaluate our impact and/or effectiveness within our community.
This
donor is one who is particularly keen on outcome based programs,
although his
concern is for our mission overall -- not a particular exhibit or
program.

The mission of our institution, of course, is education.  Specifically
on
African American History and how history has shaped our current racial
climate.  Our goal is to provide visitors with an opportunity to rethink
their
assumptions about race and racism -- in hopes of building bridges and
improving understanding between all races and ethnicities.

Short of pre and post-visit questionaires,  how are other institutions
evaluating effectiveness (i.e. results) in educating visitors?  I'd
appreciate
any ideas and examples of how others are meeting funding requirements
for
outcome-based objectives and evaluation components.

Thanks for your help.

Marissa C. Weaver
Executive Director
America's Black Holocaust Museum
Milwaukee, WI

Ellen Giusti, Exhibition Evaluator
American Museum of Natural History
Exhibition Department
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024

212 769 5646(voice)
212 769 5926(fax)
[log in to unmask](e-mail)