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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.03.2022 Museum Board MinutesMinutes of the November 3, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 5 Minutes of the November 3, 2022 Board Meeting (Approved at the December 1, 2022 Board Meeting.) The November meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Board was held Thursday, November 3, 2022, in the Lecture Room of the Museum. President Loiacono called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL: President Gabe Loiacono, Vice President Becky Matzke, Secretary Connie Drexler, Board Members Carol Fenrich arrived at 4:02, Dana Stolley and Jean Thierman, and Alternate Tiara Cavett EXCUSED: Board Member Jim Hoffman, Alternate Vicky Redlin, Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis, and Oshkosh Area School District Board President Barb Herzog ALSO PRESENT: Director Sarah Phillips, Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo, Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books taking the minutes With Director Hoffman absent, President Loiacono appointed Ms. Cavett. There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the October 2022 Board Meeting B. November Bill List C. Receipt and Filing of the 3rd quarter reports of funds held at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation MOTION: Adopt Consent Agenda (Matzke; second Drexler) CARRIED: Yes (6) Cavett, Drexler, Loiacono, Matzke, Stolley, Thierman President Loiacono changed the order of agenda items, to have the review the Helen Farnsworth Mears: Genius of Wisconsin final report next. Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo and Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel gave a thorough review of the exhibit. They noted that OPM Collections use included the 2017 Acquisition of Mary Mears collection or artwork, photos, letters, books, and misc. documents. Sculptures by HFM and works by members of the Mears Family in the OPM Collection, as well as outside loans of sculptures from other Wisconsin museums. Minutes of the November 3, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 5 Exhibition Objectives: • Curate the exhibition using the 2017 acquisition: through the voice of Helen Farnsworth Mears and Mary Mears. • Celebrate Helen Farnsworth Mears’ 150th birthday year. • Demonstrate that Helen Farnsworth Mears was a talented artist from Oshkosh. • Provide new insights on her life and character using the Mary Mears Collection to enhance the appreciation of her art. Visitor & Community Impact, statistics obtained through surveys: Objective 1: Archival material (letters, photos, slideshow) enhanced my knowledge of Helen and her life. 95% Agreed or Strongly Agreed Objective 2: Seeing this exhibition inspires me to make or learn about art. 80% Agreed or Strongly Agreed Objective 3: Viewing this exhibition increased appreciation for: • The connectedness of the Mears sisters: 73% • Helen’s accomplishments: 87% • Local art on a national stage: 51% • Helen’s perseverance through challenges: 68% Ms. Cannizzo and Ms. Stel then presented a close look at the impact of this exhibit, including: • Financial: • Approx. 1,570 visitors ($8,197) • 47 Memberships sold ($2,335) • $4,359 in Retail Sales • Average conversion rate: $2.78/visitor • Community: • Mears Art Contest: 18 student art winners on view • Feedback sources • Google: 4.54 / 5 star average • Visitor Survey: • 63 respondents out of 118 starts • Conversion rate: 53% • Overall response rate of 4% • Social Media • Instagram total reach rose by 1.5k% • Total reach: 63,337 Minutes of the November 3, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 5 OPM staff will submit this exhibit for the Wisconsin Historical Society for the Museum Exhibit Award. Award Criteria include: audience, accuracy of information, relevancy and significance, collections use, design. That concluded the report on the Mears exhibit. Director Phillips was pleased to report that the Osborns gave to the Museum through their planned giving to the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation (OACF). Annually the Museum will receive a portion of interest from a large donation. A check was received for this year’s amount was $21,000. It was deposited in the Membership Fund. About that amount can be anticipated each year going forward. The OACF will inform the OPM by letter each year what amount is available. The Board then can decide to receive it and put it in the Membership Fund, use it for a project, or transfer it to the Museum Endowment Fund at the OACF. When discussion was complete regarding the gift, President Loiacono made a motion. MOTION: On behalf of the Museum Board we gratefully receive the gift of the Osborns through the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation with the Oshkosh Public Museum as one of the beneficiaries. (Loiacono; second Thierman) CARRIED: Yes (7) Cavett, Drexler, Fenrich, Loiacono, Matzke, Stolley, Thierman The Dia de los Muertos event recap was presented by Director Phillips and Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel. Director Phillips noted that many people spoke to her with genuine appreciation that the Museum hosted this to celebrate Hispanic customs. They said when they first came to the region there was nothing of their heritage in this area. The altar in particular was much appreciated. The Hispanic community has grown considerably in this area, and to highlight their community and customs was important. There were 310 visitors. It was a free day at the Museum, so people could enjoy the activities outside and also come inside to see the altar and enjoy all of the Museum. It was a very impactful day with happy and poignant emotions being shared. The day was perfect weather and staff had a plan for inside if needed. However, with such an excellent turn out, they will look at how to handle the event outside in case of rainy weather, such as having a large tent, etc. Next year the Museum will hire translators. Mark your calendars for October 28, 2023. President Loiacono asked what made it so successful. Director Phillips stated that a few months prior to the event she met with Latino organizations to be sure the planning included them. Ms. Stel noted that advertising was bilingual. Ads in the Herald and on posters were in Spanish, not just English. There were Wisconsin Public Radio spots that were in Spanish. President Loiacono then requested Director Phillips present the Director’s report. Director Phillips began with a review of Operating Budget activities. The OPM operating budget was provided to the Finance office in August. Since then, staff has met with the City Manager, Finance Director, and Common Council to discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2023. On October 18th, staff presented to the Council members during the initial budget workshop Minutes of the November 3, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 5 highlighting three main topics affecting the operations budget and staff: work on long term exhibit Deep Roots, Growing City, the goals and activities associated with the museum centennial, and the need for a Curator of Education. On November 2nd, a public hearing was held regarding the proposed city operating budget, with a council workshop held immediately after. During that meeting, Director Phillips was able to once again discuss the necessity for a Curator of Education. She noted that the Museum will not fail on the commitment made to serve local students and continue to strengthen the partnership with the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD). Director Phillips emphasized education is an essential part of the operation of a museum and is one of the seven basic national standards for museums. Those standards are: Public Trust and Accountability, Mission and Planning, Leadership and Organizational Structure, Collections Stewardship, Education and Interpretation, Financial Stability, and Facilities and Risk Management. Because of the essential nature of education and its part in fulfilling the Museun’s mission, the OPM will continue to request an increase to staffing levels. Director Phillips extended a thank you to Board members Loiacono, Matzke, Drexler, Stolley, Davis, and Cavett for their advocacy for Museum staffing levels via letters/emails and in-person support of the OPM budget enhancement request for the Curator of Education. As a recap of the Joint Common Council/OASD Presentation Director Phillips reported that on October 27th, she presented on OPM education activities to Common Council and the OASD School Board. During that presentation, the following topics were presented: i. Introduction of Sarah Phillips, Director of the OPM ii. Mission of the OPM iii. Review of 2022 1. Exhibitions 2. Launch of Family Discovery Days 3. Focus on improving the education program 4. Cultural Events iv. Building for the future 1. Deep Roots, Growing City 2. Museum Centennial a. The Sawyer Legacy exhibit b. Reimagining Tiffany: The Sawyer Home 3. Curator of Education v. On-Site Education Resources 1. Field Trips vi. Classroom Resources 1. Inquiry Kits 2. Lesson Plans 3. Virtual Field Trips vii. Moving the Museum Forward 1. Defining the Museum as a vibrant place for culture and community In conclusion Director Phillips gave several miscellaneous updates. She noted that since the October board meeting, the Museum staff has hosted or participated in the following: Field Trips (5 classes Minutes of the November 3, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 5 of 5 so far), Cemetery Tours (in partnership with the Parks Department), Family Discovery Days, Memory Café at the Library, Leadership Oshkosh – History Day, “Bury the Hatchet” presentation by Native artist James Kelly, on-site OASD teacher orientation for Manufacturing Victory, and Dia de los Muertos with 300+ in attendance. On November 7, staff will welcome new part-time limited-term Education Coordinator, Amanda Jencik. She will assist with hosting over 1200 students for fieldtrips during the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year. That concluded the Director’s Report. Ms. Drexler recommended waiting until the December meeting for her report, “I Didn’t Sign Up for This”—her report on two of the October sessions of the Wisconsin History Conference. President Loiacono and the Board agreed. President Loiacono requested the Auxiliary report. Auxiliary President Holly Eichman reported that Auxiliary Gala plans are moving along well for the November 18, 2022 event. Invitations have been sent out and posters printed to hang up around the city. They have submitted proof of liability insurant to the Museum for the Gala. As of today, November 3, there are 39 Auxiliary members. Randy Domer from the Wisconsin Historical and Archeological Society will be the speaker at the November 11th meeting. He will speak about his new book, “It Seems Like Only Yesterday.” On a final note, the Auxiliary now has official non-profit tax exempt 501(c)(3) status. That concluded the Auxiliary report. With no other agenda items, President Loiacono asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Adjourn (Drexler; second Fenrich) CARRIED: Voice Vote The meeting adjourned at 5:13 p.m.