You're not wrong, but then again, other people do things differently.
Some institutions have successfully set up exhibition committees that
would include board members; I would think that is a useful exercise,
especially as this way the board becomes informed of day to day
operations by the staff, and they will feel included in the "creative"
side of the museum.

If you have a very good working relationship with the board (between
director and board members), it would behoove you not to alienate them.
They are your best bet for seeking funds to underwrite projects, most
especially if you are planning a "blockbuster" exhibition; they'll get
excited and who knows, they'll make money rain.

I know that I am not being too helpful, but the thing of it is, do you
want to set up a good exhibition committee with all the best players and
make everyone communicate the long term goals of the museum in their
effort to produce quality exhibitions with educational content?  Then
don't shut the board members out.  Sure, the board members can help the
museum in other ways, as some have pointed out, but depending on your
size, a small, rural institution will not function in the same way that a
large city museum will.  My best advice is not to take a militant
attitude just because in your book you think it is "wrong" to have board
participation in an exhibition commitee.  Be open and see what happens;
maybe the board will find the whole thing tedious, and you might find
yourself where you thought you would be, just staff involvement.

In our case, our director is very involved in the exhibition process,
from conception to birth, he is our link to the board, and he represents
them, so in essence we do have "board representation."

O
Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard
Yorba Linda, CA  92886
(714) 993-5075 ext. 224; fax (714) 528-0544; e-mail:  [log in to unmask]

On Thu, 8 Apr 1999 09:36:51 PDT Jerrie Clarke <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>A few days ago I put out a question asking how other museums use
>exhibits committee and who sits on these committees.  I was surprised,
>after some of the strains we've developed, that only 3 people
>responded to my question.  (Thank you for responding.)  Do many
>museums not use these committees?
>
>My Board of Directors wants to form an exhibits committee.  In my
>experience exhibit planning is a function of the staff.  The 3
>responders agree with me.  Although the Board will have their way in
>the end, I want to let them know they're stepping a little to far into
>the management of the Museum ... or am I wrong?
>
>Jerrie
>
>
>
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