Greetings all,
Just as I was leaving Joslyn Art Museum (summer 2003), they were gearing
up with "Theo's Roost Club" -- which I think has *not* become as
popular as the Education Department imagined it might. For more
information, you can check out the web page
(http://kids.joslyn.org/main/roost/join/join.html
<http://kids.joslyn.org/main/roost/join/join.html> ) and/or e-mail
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> .
Here are the issues I have with kids' clubs:
(1) Dependence upon parents. Ultimately, you are selling the idea to
TWO people, having first to convince parents through promises (which
better not be false promises!) . . . then having to maintain high
quality, exciting, and varied programming for the kids or else suffer
lack of "buy in" and/or immediate burn out.
(2) Staffing. Developing and running such a program is high
maintenance. You need one or more people to brainstorm the purpose
('theme') of and personality ('mascot') for the club. You need someone
to design promotional materials and pay for distribution - as a
newsletter snippet is not enough. You'll need membership cards (or
button, pin, ID badge, etc.). You need activities club members can do
when they: (1) visit with their parents/friends and (2) attend special
club member-only events. This is labor-intensive . . . and maybe it
makes redundant children/family-oriented activities you already hold
weekly/monthly/seasonally/annually?
(3) Finances! How can such a program be supported?
(a) Eat the costs:
This option cannot be recommended, and is not possible for most
museums that cannot afford to be beneficent without 2, 3 or 4.
(b) Recoup costs through sales (merchandise and/or ticket ):
This is a risky venture without guarantee.
(c) Charge membership fee:
This might be viewed as a limiting factor or, worse, as
"elitist."
OR,
(d) Find donor sponsorship:
This is the ideal, especially if the donor(s) stay out of the
decision-making process about content.
Consider other museums, too! Ask yourselves:
* What other museums in your town/city/region have programming for
children?
* Do they have a successful kids' club already? If so, will they
"add" you to theirs?
* Could you partner with other museums to develop a more
comprehensive kids' club?
Hope these observations and questions are helpful . . . and if you find
answers that work in your town/city/region, GO FOR IT!
Best wishes, sincerely,
j heuman, Education Curator
Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art
Utah State University
4020 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-4020
t 435.797.0165 | f 435.797.3423
Education costs money, but then so does ignorance.
Sir Charles Moser, b. 1922
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