Center for Museum Studies
Smithsonian Institution
Workshop Series 1995 - 1996
INTRODUCTION to MUSEUM MANAGEMENT
January 22 - 26, 1996
Application Deadline: November 24, 1995
Organized in response to social, financial, and economic
conditions of a different era, museums are being charged to
understand and deal with a rapidly changing world. Yet, the
pressing demands of daily operations often hinder an
administrator's ability to consider the new trends and their
implications on his or her organization. Needed are
opportunities to reflect on fundamental management concerns, and
to formulate responsive plans.
Workshop Objectives
Participants can expect to learn:
| how to analyze the museum's strengths and challenges,
and develop a planning document to define mission,
objectives, strategies and action plans
| how to identify and plan for staff, space, and
facilities needs that respond to the museum's
functional requirements
| how to develop and maintain productive relationships
with board members, staff, volunteers, and community
| how to understand and present a financial statement
| how to budget for planned activities
| how to analyze the security, fire, safety, and
environmental needs of the physical plant, collections,
and sites; and plan for meeting them in ways
appropriate to the specialized requirements of
protection and preservation
Application Deadline - November 24, 1995
Workshop Content
The Workshop Series curriculum is linked directly to issues
faced by people working in small, emerging, culturally specific,
and rural museums. Introduction to Museum Management is intended
to help museum personnel make sound decisions about administering
their organization. Areas to be covered include strategic
planning; identifying and managing human, financial, and physical
resources; and forming good working relationships between and
among the various stakeholders within the museum structure and in
the larger community. The curriculum focuses on those aspects of
a topic that are unique to museum work. It is based on the
assumption that the nature of work performed in small museums is
different than that in medium and large facilities. Emphasis is
placed on approaches that link the museum's purpose with the
needs and values of its community, and that are appropriate to
its resources.
Who should attend
The workshop is designed for people who plan, organize,
control, and manage museums whose budgets are less than $250,000
and have five or less full-time staff. Eligible are staff,
volunteers, and board members, in paid or unpaid positions, who
work full- or part-time.
Selection criteria
Up to 16 participants will be selected on a competitive
basis to attend the workshop. Preference is given to applicants
who have a demonstrated commitment to the museum field and whose
primary responsibilities are directly related to the workshop
topic.
Workshop methods and materials
Instructional methods include a mix of lectures,
demonstrations, tours, group discussions, and hands-on skills
training and exercises. On-site visits to museums, similar in
scope and orientation to workshop participants' institutions, are
integral components of the instructional process as well. These
visits serve as case studies for examining organizational
responses to real museum situations.
The workshop will use a "problem-solving" approach.
Participants are expected to take an active role in their
learning process by analyzing and sharing their own experiences,
contributing to and leading group discussions, and developing and
discussing action plans devised at the workshop.
Each participant receives a resource notebook specially
designed for the workshop. It contains selected reference
materials, model forms, resource lists, and bibliographic
citations.
Faculty
The teaching team includes Jane North, Development Director,
Montgomery County Historical Society, member of The Property
Council of the Woodrow Wilson House, and former director, The
Historical Society of Washington, DC; Russell A. Cargo, Ph.D.,
Coordinator, Nonprofit Management Program, George Mason
University, Fairfax VA; Vicki E. Sopher, Director, Decatur House;
and Smithsonian Institution staff including David A. Liston,
Office of Protection Services, and J. Andrew Wilson, Office of
Environmental Management and Safety.
Course instructors have demonstrated expertise in their
subject areas and have first-hand knowledge of situations similar
to those that workshop participants face.
Cost
The workshop fee is $275.00. It covers all tuition,
instructional materials, one group meal and transportation to
instructional sites that are not accessible via the city's
subway/bus system or within walking distance of the Smithsonian
Mall. Participants are responsible for their own lodging, food,
transportation, telephone and fax charges, and other personal
expenses.
Scholarships are not available from the Smithsonian. We
encourage applicants to contact the Institute of Museum Services
(IMS) about their Technical Assistance Grants (TAG). TAG
provides funds to help museum staff defray the costs of attending
training workshops. The IMS telephone number is 202-606-8539;
fax number is 202-606-8591.
Funding opportunities may also be available through your
state arts or humanities council.
PLEASE NOTE
The Smithsonian Institution/Center for Museum Studies
(SI/CMS) and the Institute of Museum Services (IMS) are
completely separate organizations. An application to IMS for a
TAG grant does not function as an application to a SI/CMS
workshop, nor does an award of a TAG grant by IMS confer
acceptance to a CI/CMS program. You must follow the application
process described below to be considered for participation in a
CMS workshop.
Payment Schedule
Do NOT send any money with the application form. A $150.00
deposit is due within 10 days of notification of acceptance to
the workshop. Seventy-five dollars ($75.00) of the deposit is
refundable if written notice of cancellation is received four (4)
weeks) prior to the first day of the workshop.
The balance of the workshop fee ($125.00) is due in the CMS
office three weeks prior to the first day of the workshop.
Application procedure
1. Complete the enclosed Introduction to Museum Management
Application Form.
2. Attach a one-page resume outlining your educational and
employment history, professional affiliations, and achievements.
3. Secure a letter of support from your director, board
official, or the person to whom you report, and include it with
the Application Form.
4. Mail an original and three (3) copies of all application
materials (application form, resume, and letter of support) to:
Workshop Series Center for Museum Studies
MRC 427
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D.C. 20560
Facsimile-transmitted applications will not be accepted.
5. To be eligible for consideration, applications must be
Postmarked by November 24, 1995. Notification of admission
decisions will be made by December 22, 1995.
For further information, contact the Workshop Series, Center for
Museum Studies telephone 202-357-3101, fax 202-357-3346, or
e- mail [log in to unmask]
APPLICATION DEADLINE - NOVEMBER 24, 1995
Application Form
Introduction to Museum Management
January 22 - 26, 1996
Application Deadline: November 24, 1995
Center for Museum Studies
Smithsonian Institution
Name
Name of museum
Title
Mailing address
Daytime telephone
Fax number
e-mail address
Tell us about your institution (These questions are designed to
help us develop workshop content that responds to the needs of
the participants. All information will be held in confidence.)
Do not send brochures or other printed materials with this
application.
1. What is the museum's main purpose?
2. What is the museum's best feature?
3. What is the major challenge facing your museum?
4. Does the museum have a written statement of
scope and purpose? yes ___ no ___
5. Does the museum have a long-range planning document?
yes ___ no ___
6. Are there written plans for what the museum will do in the
next 12 months? yes ___ no ___ If no, go on to number 7
If yes, list one (1) item in the plan, tell how it will
contribute to the museum's mission, and how the results will
be evaluated:
7. Does the museum have a board of trustees or other legally
constituted governing body? yes ___ no ___
8. How many people work in the museum? _______________
How many are full-time? _____
How many are paid? ________
9. Are there written job descriptions for each position?
yes ___ no ___ If no, go on to question #10. If yes,
select one person who works in the museum (not yourself) and
list his or her duties.
10. Does the museum have a manual of personnel policies and
procedures? Yes ___ no ___
11. What is the main human resources concern at your
institution?
12. What is your museum's total budget? $__________________
13. Does the museum:
collect objects? yes___ no____
perform research? yes ___ no___
mount exhibits? yes ___ no ___
offer educational activities and programs? yes ___ no ___
14. What kind(s) of collections does the museum hold?
15. Does the museum have insurance coverage? yes ___ no ___
16. How many visitors per year does your museum service? _______
Approximately what percentage are school groups? _________
adult groups? _________ individual walk-ins?____________
17. What is the museum's major concern regarding finances?
18. Is your museum "computerized?" yes _______ no ______
For what function(s) is the computer used?
word processing ___ collections management ________
administration _______ communicating between offices,
academic, and cultural institutions _____
other, explain____________________________________________
Is your museum connected to "internet?" yes ___ no___
19. What is the museum's major concern regarding its physical
facilities?
20. Is your museum part of a collaborative cultural network or
other association?
yes_____ no_____
Tell us about yourself:
1. What got you started working in a museum?
2. What are your direct responsibilities?
3. Are you new to this assignment? yes___ no___
4. What is the most pressing problem you face in your job?
5. What role do you have in making institutional decisions?
6. What would you most want to accomplish by attending this
workshop?
7. Are you responsible for a specific project for which you
hope attendance at this
workshop will prepare you?
yes ___ no ___ please identify
8. Do you have supervisory responsibilities? yes___ no___
9. Do you have responsibilities for budgeting? yes ___ no___
10. Do you write grant(s)? yes___ no___
11. Do you operate a computer? yes ____ no____
What software do you use?
12. What one museum-related objective would you like to achieve
in the coming year?
13. How will the information/experiences gained through
attending this workshop be shared with others in your network
or circle?
14. What is the title of the person who is your supervisor?
15. Other information you would like to share that will help us
design the workshop?
Thank you for your interest in the CMS Introduction to Museum
Management workshop.
Signature ________________________________ Date _____________
Mail an original and three (3) copies of a completed
application package (application form, resume, and letter of
support) to:
Workshop Series Center for Museum Studies
MRC 427
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D.C. 20560
Postmark deadline: November 24, 1995
Bruce C. Craig Internet: [log in to unmask]
Center for Museum Studies Smithsonian Institution
A&I 2235-MRC427 Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-3148 FAX:(202) 357-3346
|
