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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.04.2023 Museum Board MinutesMinutes of the May 4, 2023 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the May 4, 2023 Board Meeting (Approved at the June 1, 2023 Board Meeting.) The May meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Board was held Thursday, May 4, 2023, in the Galena Room of the Museum. President Gabe Loiacono called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL: President Gabe Loiacono, Vice President Becky Matzke, Secretary Connie Drexler, Board Members Tiara Cavett, Carol Fenrich, Vicky Redlin, Dana Stolley and Jean Thierman, Oshkosh Area School District Board President Beth Wyman, Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis ALSO PRESENT: Director Sarah Phillips, Assistant Director/Chief Curator Anna Cannizzo, Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel, Curator of Education Neal Matherne, Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the Minutes The Board welcomed new Curator of Education, Neal Matherne. He told the Board a bit about his background as well as his philosophy on teaching and helping children and adults learn. There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of the April 6, 2023, Board Meeting B. May Bill List C. Receipt and Filing of Quarter 1 Reports of Museum Funds held at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation MOTION: Approve Consent Resolution Agenda. (Matzke; second Thierman) CARRIED: Yes (9) Davis, Drexler, Fenrich, Loiacono, Matzke, Redlin, Stolley, Thierman, Wyman Director Phillips then reported to the Board that the Museum received a bequest from the William Wingren estate in the amount of $42,000. At the June meeting, she will bring forward ideas for its use. MOTION: That the Board gratefully receive the bequest from the William Wingren Estate and put 10% of the amount into the Museum Endowment Fund held at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation per Board policy. (Thierman; second Redlin) CARRIED: Yes (9) Davis, Drexler, Fenrich, Loiacono, Matzke, Redlin, Stolley, Thierman, Wyman Review of OPM Collections practices in light of recent articles pertaining to OPM and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was next on the agenda. Director Minutes of the May 4, 2023 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 4 Phillips noted that in January 2023 the ProPublica online news source reported regarding the federal database that relates to NAGPRA. The article started a good discussion. Miles McGuire then reached out to the OPM. Director Phillips and Ms. Cannizzo met with him and shared the history and practices followed by the OPM since the passage of the law. He wrote an article that was in the online Oshkosh Examiner. Ms. Cannizzo gave examples of NAGPRA requests and noted that the Menominee asked for privacy, which is why the Collections staff does not make details of every culturally-sensitive holding, or of every repatriation, widely accessible. The City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee asked Director Phillips and Ms. Cannizzo to meet with them and explain how it works for Museums as relates to NAGPRA. During that meeting, Director Phillips and Ms. Cannizzo discussed the OPM approach to NAGPRA and the importance of building relationships and open communication with Tribal officials for successful repatriation efforts. Director Phillips opened for questions. Ms. Cavett asked just what ProPublica had written. Director Phillips noted that they created their own categories and definitions for museums rather than using the legal terminology that the NAGPRA law and policies mandate for museums. Regarding the law, Ms. Cannizzo noted that “cultural patrimony” is the most dynamic category of cultural items. She noted that the NAGPRA law went in effect in 1990. By 1993, the OPM inventory was complete and submitted to the federal government, and notification letters were sent to tribes. Ms. Matzke asked if OPM is writing to ProPublica regarding their article. Director Phillips said she talked with Andy Radig of Oshkosh Media regarding this. Mr. Radig thought that the Oshkosh Examiner article clarified the situation well, and therefore it was not necessary to discuss it further with ProPublica. Director Phillips noted that one positive outcome of the ProPublica article is that many museums are evaluating their related policies, communications, etc. The question arose about the last time funerary objects were exhibited at the OPM. Ms. Cannizzo explained that the last display of ancestral remains and related funerary items was removed from exhibit around 1990, and had been repatriated with the appropriate Tribe. President Loiacono then requested Director Phillips present the Director’s report. Director Phillips began with an update on education. She reported that OPM is pleased to welcome Neal Matherne to the staff. As Curator of Education, he will lead and provide vision for the Museum's Education program. Now all primary program areas (Collections, Exhibitions, Education, Visitor Services and Development) have lead staff. Welcome, Neal! She then informed the board of the departure of Maintenance Technician Matt Reinke. Although in the beginning of 2023 he was assigned to the City General Services Maintenance Division, Matt had been assigned to the Museum and worked closely with staff on many projects over the years. Museum staff wish him all the best in his new position in the private sector. Minutes of the May 4, 2023 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 4 Regarding the OPM Education Program Fieldtrips, Director Phillips reported that during this 2022- 2023 school year OPM served 357 Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) students. There is no charge for their visits to the Museum. For non-OASD, there were 64 students and 53 college students. That makes for 474 students served by the museum so far during the school year. Director Phillips then reported that the City CIP cycle has officially begun. Requests are due to the Finance Office next Friday, May 12, 2023. Because the Maintenance Department is organized under General Services (GS), all facilities-related requests will be done collaboratively with GS and OPM. All other requests (like for exhibitions, for example) will continue to be done through the Museum. Next Director Phillips reported that the Common Council had formed a subcommittee to evaluate the City Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCC) to address issues involving reduced citizen interest in applying for BCCs, an increase in member turnover, and canceled meetings/lack of quorums over the last couple of years. From February to April of this year, the Subcommittee met with Board Chairs and Staff Liaisons to examine the operations of the optional BCCs. Optional BCCs are established by local option, and not required by state law. Among other recommendations, at the Tuesday, May 9 Council meeting the Subcommittee will recommend that the Museum Board and Public Arts and Beautification Committee be consolidated into one board. This recommendation is based on the two entities having mutually beneficial opportunities and the Subcommittee feels the community will benefit from a combined focus and approach to art and history. Director Phillips further reported that a standardized group size is also recommended. The Subcommittee is recommending that BCC’s have five members and two alternates unless otherwise decided by the Council. Group size would be achieved through attrition and interest inquiry. There is no recommendation currently on Council Member liaisons to boards or ex-officio members. Director Phillips opened for questions and discussion. Much discussion followed with the general consensus that the Museum Board does not agree with the subcommittee recommendation. It was determined that President Loiacono would prepare a letter to email to Council members prior to the Tuesday meeting. That concluded the Director’s Report. President Loiacono decided to hold his report for another meeting. President Loiacono requested the Auxiliary report. Auxiliary President Holly Eichman reported that there are Auxiliary members that are upset that the Gala held in November of 2022 was to be the last Gala. Visitor Services staff member Ginny Gross helped Holly with some research about fundraising that was done by the OPM Auxiliary. At the Minutes of the May 4, 2023 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 4 of 4 April Auxiliary meeting Ms. Eichman reported to the group what she found. The Art Fair, which was a labor-intensive fundraiser, ended in 2005. The Gala and Pie on the Lawn started in 2012. The Auxiliary didn’t have any big fundraiser in between other than an occasional bake sale. This information was mailed to the Auxiliary members that were unable to attend the meeting. For the 2023-2024 program year Ms. Eichman would like the Auxiliary to enjoy some good food, programs and socialization instead of planning a fundraiser. This seemed to be agreeable to most of the members. Ms. Eichman further reported that the end of the program year luncheon will be at the Roxy on Friday, May 12th. Each member will be given a geranium to take home. The entertainment will be a ukelele solo by David Hable. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. Board elections were next on the agenda. President Loiacono recommended the nomination of Ms. Matzke for President and Ms. Drexler for Vice President. He opened for nominations and discussion. There was little discussion, then a motion was made. MOTION: That the Board elect Becky Matzke for President and Connie Drexler for Vice President. (Thierman; second Redlin) CARRIED: Yes (9) Davis, Drexler, Fenrich, Loiacono, Matzke, Redlin, Stolley, Thierman, Wyman 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 5:17 p.m.