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