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HomeMy WebLinkAboutboardmemo08-27-2021 1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org MEMO TO THE MUSEUM BOARD August 27, 2021 To the Board, Attached is the agenda for the September 3rd meeting, along with the bill list, draft minutes from the August meeting, 2nd quarter reports from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, and forms related to our funds and trusts budget. The first agenda item after the consent portion is my review of the trusts and funds budget for 2022 followed by discussion and vote. The Museum’s budget review with the City Manager is scheduled for September 16th. The Membership budget will again support three LTE positions in 2022 including the Assistant Curator, an Education Intern and a Seasonal Grounds Person and we added a new fourth LTE for a part time Collections position. This Collections position is an important addition because we anticipate a number of key and complex collections projects beginning next year that will require additional support to the existing Collections Staff. In addition to the LTE positions the Membership Fund will also support an in-house exhibition centered around the 150th birthday of renowned local artist Helen Farnesworth Mears and the traveling exhibition from the National WWII Museum entitled Manufacturing Victory which will have strong educational appeal to school groups. As we continue to develop a longer range exhibition schedule, we allotted funds for a potential advance down payment for a traveling exhibit. Finally, we anticipate a new Director arriving to staff in the near future and budgeted for a meet and greet event for our members. I am pleased to report that all of the items planned for display in Sports and Recreation are moving forward with conservation treatment at MACC. Because the treatment proposals came in under budget, we decided to use some of the savings to replace the remaining expiring data loggers that are used to monitor the environment in numerous Museum spaces. Instead of time-consuming manual data collection, the new Bluetooth devices are more efficient, will display real-time temperature and relative humidity readings, and save staff time during data collection. We continue to see steady visitation for Titanic and strong merchandise sales. Due to some issues with the supply chain we have experienced challenges with keeping items in stock. However, we were excited to see these issues becoming resolved as much needed shipments of merchandise arrived this week. Because of Tammy Malewski’s well placed advertisements for White Christmas: The Exhibition we are beginning to see an influx of attention and inquiries about tickets for the exhibition. We are anticipating strong visitation and with Titanic well underway, staff has turned their attention to planning for this unique holiday exhibition. Steady progress continues to be made on completing the sub-flooring for the Sports and Recreation exhibition space. This floor work is scheduled for completion prior to the Labor Day weekend. After this critical step is finished, a significant amount of work will be done to repair and reinforce the windows prior to the installation of the walls. 1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org Page Two On Tuesday, the sisters of the Menominee Clans Story artist James Frechette Jr. visited the Museum to see the exhibit. Assistant Curator, Katrina Achilli did an excellent job facilitating their visit and they expressed their appreciation for the care that was shown in welcoming these special members of the Frechette family. Last, but not least, Curator of Exhibitions Debra Daubert submitted her letter of intent to retire effective November 26th, 2021. Deb began her career with the Museum in 1977 as a college intern and officially joined the staff as a full-time cataloger in 1981. Deb has faithfully served the public and has been dedicated to advancing the Museum’s mission for an astounding career spanning four decades. In the wake of the tragic 1994 fire she helped with salvage efforts, worked to rebuild lost collections, and curated the Museum’s next generation of exhibitions. Her knowledge of local history and the Museum’s collections will be sorely missed but staff is excited for her to embark on her well-deserved next chapter. Once Deb retires, Assistant Curator Katrina Achilli will be the longest serving member of the collections staff. While this ends the week, it marks the beginning of me writing the weekly memos until the incoming Director is announced and arrives to staff. I hope you enjoy your weekend. Anna Cannizzo Assistant Director, Interim Director Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 1 BOARD AGENDA Online, Via Zoom September 2, 2021 Museum Board Meeting Remote participation information: The Oshkosh Museum is currently holding all meetings remotely. Citizens wishing to provide comment on individual agenda items may appear remotely through the following sign-up link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87194964116?pwd=SWhkcFN4ZnlZVXFZWDVnTS92ZjZ5QT09 or may submit written comments. Written public comments may be sent via mail addressed to the Museum, or sent by email to the Museum Assistant Director prior to the Board Meeting at: acannizzo@ci.oshkosh.wi.us ; written comments will be distributed to the Board and made part of the public record of the meeting. 1. Call to order (4:00 p.m.) 2. Determination of quorum, roll call 3. Citizen Statements to the Board (Citizens are to address the Board only. Statements are limited to five (5) minutes; must address items that are not listed on the Board meeting agenda, are limited to issues that have an impact on the Oshkosh Public Museum. The Board may address at a future meeting, and must not include endorsements of any candidates or other electioneering) 4. Consent Resolution Agenda Consent Agenda Items are those items of a routine administrative nature that are voted on by the Board in a Single Roll Call Vote. The Board has been furnished with background material on each item. Any member of the public or Board may request that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion and to be voted on separately. The Board will consider approval of: A. Minutes of August 2021 Board Meeting B. September Bill List C. Receipt and Filing of 2nd Quarter Reports from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation 5. Presentation of Trust and Funds Budget, Discussion and Vote 6. Report of the Assistant Director A. 2022 Operating Budget B. Titanic Updates C. Exhibit Updates: Sports and Recreation and Deep Roots, Growing City 7. Auxiliary Report – Kathy Wuest, Auxiliary President 8. Adjournment