May I suggest AAM, AASLH, and Florida Association of Museums as places to
start.  The museum community in Floida is very collegial and will offer
priceless information.

You could certainly submit an application to the Museum of Florida History
Grants-In-Aid program for an Educational Exhibit Grant.  That cycle opens
October 1 - December 15, 2003.

The website is:  http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/bhp/grants/mg.html
<http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/bhp/grants/mg.html>

-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Miller [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 12:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: starting a museum


Mary,

A good place to start might be G. Ellis Burcaw's book, Introduction to
Museum Work, 1997, AltaMira Press.  It's a general introduction into Museums
geared toward students of Museum Studies.  I think you might find it useful.
The main advice I can think of off hand is keep the focus of your new museum
tight.  Don't try to cover all subjects or you'll soon find yourself
overwhelmed (this is  what Mr. Burcaw advises anyway).  You might start by
conducting a survey to find out what the people in your community would like
to see in a local museum. Just some thoughts...


Scott Miller


Mary Agnes Beach wrote:


My question today regards advice that can be offered in starting a new
museum.  In Coral Gables Florida we are starting a general museum that is a
public/private partnership.  The museum will be housed in an historically
designated WPA building.  We have a good start with funding and community
suppport and have preliminary plans from an architect.  I have a background
in museum work and know the basics of good practice.  I wonder if anyone on
the list can recommend any consultants, workshops, or reading that would be
useful as we create a good firm structure institutionally?

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