HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 Museum Assessment Progrm - Heritage Center ///
�' 111
or Dt4,
1`O l 2 AGENDA STATEMENT
�_ HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
04LIFOR
MEETING DATE: March 9, 2006
SUBJECT: Museum Assessment Program- Heritage Center
Report Prepared by, Elizabeth Isles, Heritage Center Director
ATTACHMENTS: None
RECOMMENDATION: Receive Report from Staff
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: One of the 2005-2006 Goals & Objectives adopted by.the City
Council is to "Investigate the possibility of obtaining accreditation for the Heritage Center through the
American Association of Museums (MAP)".
BACKGROUND: The Institute for Museum and Library Services defines the MAP
process as follows: "The Museum Assessment Program (MAP) is a confidential, consultative process,
designed to help museums understand how they compare to standards and best practices in the field.
MAP helps museums understand how other institutions deal with similar challenges. MAP provides
suggestions for improvement and is designed for museums, historic houses, botanic gardens and
arboretums, zoos, nature centers and art galleries. There are three stages to the two-year long
assessment: Self-Study, Peer Review and Implementation. "
On Saturday, February 18, 2006 the Dublin Heritage Center's Museum Assessment Committee, along
with Elizabeth Isles, Heritage Center Director, completed the Peer Review portion of the MAP process
with a day-long workshop. James DeMersman of the Hayward Area Historical Museum was selected as
"Peer Reviewer" by the MAP committee. Mr. DeMersman has worked for twenty five years in historical
museum administration and has been a MAP Peer Reviewer for sixteen museums throughout the country.
Prior to the day-long workshop, Mr. DeMersman met with Staff twice to tour the facility and learn about
the various aspects and programs of the Heritage Center.
The MAP Workshop was attended by Committee Members from the Heritage and Cultural Arts
Commission (HCAC) and the Dublin Heritage and Preservation Association (DHPA), including;
Georgean Vonheeder-Leopold (DHPA, HCAC), Steve Lockhart (DHPA), Marybeth Acuff(HCAC), Ron
Satterthwaite (DHPA), Kim Kohnen (DHPA), Brigid Abrahamson (Museum Volunteer), and Jim
DeMersman and Elizabeth Isles.
COPIES TO:
ITEM NO. 8.1
G:\I-IERITAGE COMMISSION IAGENDA_STMTS\2006\3-9-06 MAP Report.doc
Throughout the course of the day, there was an open exchange of information. Participants provided Mr.
DeMersman with the background on the Heritage Center, DHPA and the HCAC. Mr. DeMersman
indicated that the governance structure is better than a typical municipal museum because of the existence•
of the HCAC.
The group discussed the numerous services DHPA provides to the Heritage Center, including:
• 501 c 3,write grants and other fundraising opportunities
• Provide resource room and library for museum's new exhibit
• Advocate for Dublin history
• Purchase artifacts
• Provide volunteers
• Fund conservation of artifacts
• Fund educational opportunities
• Fund and install signs for Pioneer Cemetery
• Represent Dublin in the Tri-Valley History Council
• Work to preserve Dublin's historical landmarks
• Produce newsletter(has not been done in recent years)
• Help to support the History Center at Camp Parks
Mr. DeMersman discussed the "Organizational Life Cycle"which shows patterns of growth that typically
take place in organizations. The DHPA and the Heritage Center have a successful partnership, but are at
the point of redefining roles to meet current challenges. Mr. DeMersman stated that a Long Range
Strategic Plan is an important method of identifying and staying on goal. Copies of the Hayward Area
Historical Museum's Strategic Plan will be made available.
Topics discussed during the Workshop included:
• Marketing-publicity,public relations, community involvement
• Collections the need to establish an"education collection"for hands-on items
• Programs- educational and exhibits
• Internships-through JFK Museum Studies
• Museum associations—which are valuable?
• Staff- is current staffing levels sufficient?
• •Accreditation-is it realistic or something-to strive toward.
• Fundraising—important relationship between DHPA and City and important to community
• involvement •
• Audience- families, children of Dublin
• Publications-Arcadia Books
Mr. DeMersman will address these issues in his final report, which is expected within the next three
months.
RECOMMENDATION: It is the recommendation that the Heritage and Cultural Arts
Commission receive the report from Staff.
2 of 2