Lonn,
Thanks for the response.
> 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."
That is sure a real perception. And way too often, it is the Museum of
Doors, Windows and Screens that also has a mummy. It also contains another
myth - that the money from the visitors can fund a museum. I have
encountered way too many people involved with small museums that believe a
museum is what you see when you walk in the door and make no allowances for
storage or work rooms or even administrative offices.
Originally I had it as COLLECTION and CURATION SERVICES where the curatorial
staff would be located. Indeed, the Curator would head this division.
Under this division would be all the restoration, conservation, storage,
replication, etc of artifacts and historical objects.
One of the reasons for building an organization structure this extensive is
to ensure that all tasks and functions needed to run a MUSEUM and a
(nonprofit) BUSINESS. As Yoggi Berra says in one of the Aflac commercials
"If you don't have it, you don't know you need it."
So where do videos, dvds, films, slides, photographs, newspapers and
clippings, letters and related things belong? Under the library's
collections or in the main collection of historical objects? What about
works of art?
Kirk
_____
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Lonn Taylor
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 08:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Museum Organization & Structure
Dear 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 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 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
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