Museum Organization & StructureDear Kirk,

     In most museums, the functions listed in your question (acquisition, transportation, restoration, replication, maintenance, and exhibition) are to one extent or another the responsibility of the curatorial staff. I notice that your proposed table of organization does not include curators.  Another important function that is not evident in that table is the interpretation of the artifacts in the collection, which is also a curatorial function. I'd suggest amending the Research and Archives service slot to read "Curatorial and Research Services" and make the folks in this division responsible for the scholarly tasks that are, in fact, the reason for the museum's existence. If you intend to have an ongoing restortion program, you probably also need a conservation division, where the experts who will carry this program out will reside. Without a scholarly staff, you may be headed in the direction that guard at the British Museum once described to me when he said "Most people thnk that all you need to have a museum is a mummy and someone to take the money."

Lonn Taylor,
Fort Davis, Texas 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kirk Ransom 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2005 9:06 PM
  Subject: Museum Organization & Structure





  I am trying to develop an organization structure for an aviation museum.  How are other similar museums organized?.  Please look at the following and tell me if I am on track or way off base.  

  In the following scheme, there is an Executive Director overall and a Business Manager over the Business Operation department and a Museum Director over the Museum Operations department.  

  I realize that many of the functions shown could and would be done by one staff member (or volunteer) but I want to include all of the functions that would be necessary for effective day-to-day operations of a museum.  This will ensure that functions are not overlooked and allow for smooth growth and development.  I am trying to group similar things together and present a workable span of control for the managers and directors.  

    BUSINESS OPERATIONS  (department) 

            ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES  (division) 
                    ACCOUNTING and BOOKKEEPING SERVICES 
                    CONTRACTING SERVICES 

            ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY & INFORMATION SYSTEMS SERVICES   (division) 

            FACILITIES & GROUNDS MANAGEMENT SERVICES  (division) 

            FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT  (division) 
                    FUNDRAISING & INVESTMENT SERVICES 
                    BUDGET & FUNDS DISBURSEMENT 

            HUMAN RESOURCES & STAFFING SERVICES  (division) 

            PLANNING & SCHEDULES  (division) 

            PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES   (division) 

            PURCHASING & SUPPLY MANAGEMENT SERVICES  (division) 

            SAFETY SERVICES   (division) 

            SECURITY & PROPERTY PROTECTION SERVICES.    (division) 

    MUSEUM OPERATIONS 

            MEMBERSHIP & PROMOTION SERVICES  (division) 
                    COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES 

            EXHIBITION & EDUCATION SERVICES  (division) 

            RESEARCH & ARCHIVES SERVICES   (division) 
                    LIBRARY & PUBLISHING SERVICES 
                    HISTORY (of the Museum) 

            COLLECTION MANAGEMENT  (division) 
                    AIRCRAFT COLLECTION 

  For small museums that feature large objects in their exhibition and collection programs, like trains, ships, or airplanes, which take up the bulk of the effort running the museum, where does the day-today management of the acquisitions, transportation, restoration, replication, maintenance, and even exhibition fall?  Under the Collection Management division or as a separate division under Museum Operations?  

  Thanks, 

  Kirk Ransom 
  Minnetonka, MN 



  ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: 
  The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). 

  If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).