HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.10.2024 Minutes Museum Arts & Culture BoardMinutes of the January 10, 2024 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
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Minutes of the January 10, 2024 Board Meeting
(Approved at the February 14, 2024 Board Meeting.)
The January 2024 meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Museum Arts and Culture
(MAC) Board was held Wednesday, January 10, 2024, in the Galena Room of the Museum. Board
Chair Vicky Redlin 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,
Alternates Erron Hundt, Carrie Olson
Absent: Board Member /Council Member Joseph Stephenson
Also Present: Assistant Director/Chief Curator Anna Cannizzo, Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel,
Curator of Education Neal Matherne, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the
Minutes. Director Sarah Phillips was not able to attend.
With Board Member Stephenson not at the meeting Chair Redlin appointed Carrie Olson.
There were no citizen statements to the Board and none were received.
Consent Agenda items included:
A. Minutes of December 13, 2023, MAC Board Meeting
MOTION: Approve Consent Agenda (Matzke; second Olson)
CARRIED: Yes (5) Brown, Matzke, Mueske, Olson, Redlin
For the update on the City Strategic Plan Ms. Cannizzo noted that the City engages with staff every
two years to keep the Strategic Plan up-to-date and relevant to each department. The Museum is
under the Quality-of-Life Services and Assets of this plan. One objective for OPM is to create
awareness of and participation with the Museum through brand identity, marketing, and expanded
programs. The strategies assigned to accomplish this are: 1. Define and establish the Museum
identity from institutional values and needs of the community. 2. Refine marketing through
audience evaluation. 3. Develop a portfolio of programs and offerings for audience engagement.
This year the Museum refreshed the core purposes adding arts and culture to OPM’s Mission, Vision
and Purpose. Ms. Stel then shared the following.
The OPM Mission:
To preserve and promote history, art, and culture for Oshkosh residents and visitors by
stewarding collections, creating educational experiences, and providing access to the
unique heritage of the Lake Winnebago Region.
Minutes of the January 10, 2024 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
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The OPM Vision:
To create a community of culture within the City of Oshkosh.
The OPM Purpose:
The OPM enhances civic vitality, community identity, and quality of life by providing
opportunities to experience Oshkosh through an ecosystem of history, arts, and culture.
Ms. Stel noted that with the mandate from City Strategic planning and the OPM Mission and
Purpose refreshed, staff embarked on the process of envisioning a new brand identity. They sought
inspiration from the Museum itself, especially the cornerstone of the Museum: The Historic Sawyer
Home. She showed a photo taken of a small section of the Tiffany landscape window on the landing
of the Grand Staircase. The rich and vibrant jewel tones emerged as representative of this
cornerstone of OPM. Like Tiffany intended, the colors and textures of the stained glass evoke the
natural environment of Oshkosh.
In 2024 the Oshkosh Public Museum celebrates a milestone: 100 Years serving this community by
preserving its history, art, and culture. As the community commemorates this milestone, we can also
look forward to entering the next chapter of the Museum’s history. As such, staff are thrilled to be
launching the OPM’s new brand and visual identity during this centennial year.
To reflect the updated and expanded mission statement of the Oshkosh Public Museum, rebranding
efforts prioritized a less literal representation. A mission that encompasses the history, art, and
culture of our region must not be tied solely to the Museum building or the physical aspect of the
region. The M in the logotype is brought to the forefront, embodying the tendency of our moniker
“The Museum.” The new brand brings a fresh focus, while remaining firmly grounded through
familiar jewel tone hues that draw from the Historic Sawyer Home. Different variations of the logo
and logotype will maintain the century-long credit as Oshkosh Public Museum.
In the coming months, Graphic Designer Daniel Fiser and Ms. Stel, along with other Museum staff
will continue implementing the new brand, It will go public on March 1 with the Spring 2024 issue
of The Muse. Throughout 2024 staff will replace all existing collateral, print pieces, signage, etc. Staff
are thrilled to be marking this next chapter with a new look for OPM.
Centennial year exhibits, events and program schedule was next on the agenda. Edgar Sawyer gave
his house to the City “for the good of the public” and after much citizen discussion in 1922 and 1923
it became the Oshkosh Public Museum in 1924. Ms. Cannizzo then reported exhibit plans. The
Sawyer Saga trilogy of exhibits will be hosted throughout 2024 in the Parlor. These exhibits will
explore the history and legacy of the Sawyer Family. The lower-level photo exhibit will be updated
in February; this new exhibit will be 1920s Oshkosh: Colorful Times in Black and White.
Minutes of the January 10, 2024 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
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Ms. Stel then reviewed various educational programs that are planned including continuation of the
monthly Family Discovery Days which are the 2nd Saturday of each month. Additionally, an
American Girl doll program will be hosted. This year on February 24 the Museum will offer 1920s
history with American Girl doll Claudie. Further, the first ever Date Night at the Museum will be
held the evening of February 9th. A workshop series called Preserving Memories is planned to begin
in April. It will show how to care for your family photos and will be presented by Museum Archivist
Amy Fels. In October Registrar Emma Eisner will present a workshop on preserving textiles. A new
event, the Historic Osh Hop, a walking/driving tour of historic Oshkosh homes and buildings is set
for May 11. The 3rd annual Día de los Muertos event will be held November 2nd and a Toast to a
Century the evening of Friday, November 8th.
Chair Redlin then requested the Assistant Director’s Report.
Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo began with an update of the second-floor transformation. The
freight door was delivered today. It will be installed the week of January 15. There will then be a few
finishing details so it should be complete in a few weeks.
Regarding the Waldwic Gallery, Ms. Cannizzo reported that most of the design work and bid papers
are complete. The pre-bid meeting is set for January 22nd at 9:00 a.m. There is hope that the build out
of this gallery will not take many months.
The Neustadt Tiffany consultant’s visit is set for Saturday, January 27 through Monday, January 29.
Lindsy Parrott will meet with Director Phillips, Ms. Cannizzo, Ms. Stel, and Curator Emily Rock on
the Saturday. She will present a program to the Wisteria Circle focusing on the national interest in
Tiffany’s works and the Historic Sawyer Home. Monday Ms. Parrott will hopefully see the Tiffany
window at the Congregational Church here in Oshkosh. In closing, Ms. Cannizzo noted that this is
an exciting opportunity to raise OPM’s profile among Tiffany enthusiasts nationwide. That
concluded the Assistant Director’s Report.
With no other agenda items, Chair Redlin asked for a motion to adjourn.
MOTION: Adjourn (Brown; second Mueske)
CARRIED: Voice Vote
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.