HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.06.2023 Museum Arts & Culture Board MinutesMinutes of the September 6, 2023 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
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Minutes of the September 6, 2023 Board Meeting
(Approved at the October 11, 2023 Board Meeting.)
The September meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Museum Arts and Culture (MAC)
Board was held Wednesday, September 6, 2023, in the Galena Room of the Museum. Director
Sarah Phillips called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books.
PRESENT AT ROLL: Board Members Becky Doe Brown, Becky Matzke, Drew Mueske, Vicky
Redlin, Council Member Joseph Stephenson, Alternates Erron Hundt and Carrie Olson
ALSO PRESENT: Director Sarah Phillips, Assistant Director/Chief Curator Anna Cannizzo,
Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel, Curator of Education Neal Matherne, and Administrative
Assistant Theresa Books recording the Minutes
There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received.
Consent Agenda items included:
A. Minutes of the June 1, 2023, Board Meeting
B. July, August and September Bill Lists
C. Receipt and Filing of 2nd Quarter Reports of Museum Funds held at the Oshkosh Area
Community Foundation
MOTION: Approve Consent Resolution Agenda with the understanding that Ms. Books will check
with the Finance Dept. as to why the High Street address doesn’t show as paid on the
August Bill List. (Redlin; second Olson)
CARRIED: Yes (5) Brown, Matzke, Mueske, Redlin, Stevenson
Director Phillips reported that OPM was awarded a grant of $2,000 for the Museum’s second annual
celebration of Día de los Muertos from the Community Arts Fund of the Oshkosh Area Community
Foundation. In addition, for the event Ms. Stel secured a sponsorship of $2,500 from Taqueria. Also,
Director Phillips was pleased to report that the Museum received a donation of $10,000 from the
Donald Hanson Fund at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation for the Museum to expand
education outreach and programming.
MOTION: That the MAC Board receive the grant, sponsorship and donation with gratitude.
(Redlin; second Matzke)
CARRIED: Yes (5) Brown, Matzke, Mueske, Redlin, Stevenson
Next was discussion regarding details for the new Museum, Arts and Culture Board. First was
conversation regarding what day and time the new Board will meet. After a brief discussion it was
Minutes of the September 6, 2023 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
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determined that the Board will meet the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30, with the next
meeting being set for October 11th.
Director Phillips recommended postponing nominations and vote for a Chair and Vice Chair until
the Bylaws are updated and voted on. That way the nominees will know what their responsibilities
will be. The group agreed.
Director Phillips then gave a general orientation regarding the Museum and Board’s role in the OPM
Mission. She noted that in 1924 the Museum was established when Edgar Sawyer donated the house
to the City. The Tiffany-designed interiors are the foundation to the Museum and Strategic Plans
that are being developed to move the mission of the Museum forward. Over the years OPM’s
mission expanded from Oshkosh only to the Winnebago Region. The OPM Board is an advisory
Board to the staff and City Council. Ms. Redlin gave a brief review of how the budgets work and the
benefits of being a department of the City. Director Phillips further noted that the Collections Fund
and Membership Fund are considered Trust Funds and the MAC is responsible for those. The Board
does not have responsibility of determining where the funds are invested; the City Finance
Department does that. Rather, Director Phillips will bring recommendations for Fund uses to the
Board for consideration and approval. She hopes to add another Fund to start investing in public
art. Director Phillips noted that Board Alternates are to attend every meeting and they participate in
all Board Meeting discussions.
Director Phillips then gave the Board a draft copy of the Bylaws, encouraging them to review it over
the coming weeks and to let her know if they have any questions or suggestions. There will be
further discussion about it and a vote at the next meeting. The Board discussed various scenarios of
what the MAC Board will handle in regards to public art. With an understanding that if art is on a
public building or property, this Board will be in the decision making. If it is art on private
property, it will go through City Planning and the Landmarks Commission.
With no other agenda items, Director Phillips asked for a motion to adjourn.
MOTION: Adjourn (Matzke; second Stephenson)
CARRIED: Voice Vote
The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.