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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.11.2026 MINUTES Museum Arts & Culture Board Minutes of the February 11, 2026 Museum Arts and Culture Board Meeting Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the February 11, 2026, Museum, Arts and Culture Board Meeting (Approved at the March 11, 2026 Board Meeting) The February meeting of the Museum, Arts and Culture (MAC) Board was held at the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM). Board Chair Vicky Redlin called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and the Roll was taken. Present at Roll: Board Chair Vicky Redlin, Vice Chair Rebecca Doe Brown, Board Member Becky Matzke, Alternate Carrie Olson. Excused: Board Member Drew Mueske, Alternate Erron Hundt Absent: Board Member/Council Member Joe Stephenson With Mr. Stephenson out, Chair Redlin appointed Ms. Olson OPM Staff Present: Cultural and Enrichment Services Director/Museum Director Anna Cannizzo, Assistant Director/Chief Curator Emily Rock, Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator Anne Schaefer and OPM Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. There were no citizen statements to the Board. Consent Agenda items included: A. Minutes of January 14, 2026, Board Meeting B. Receipt and Filing of Quarter 4 Reports regarding Museum Funds held at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation MOTION: Approve Consent Agenda (Ms. Olson; second Ms. Brown) CARRIED: Yes (4) Brown, Matzke, Olson, Redlin Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator Anne Schaefer gave a report on the Tiffany’s Gardens in Glass 2025 exhibition; showing the 2025 year-end impact. Then she reported on 2026 exhibition sponsorships. She began by reporting that the Oshkosh Public Museum achieved unprecedented growth in 2025, demonstrating the power of strategic programming and community engagement. Through the support of our donors, members, sponsors, volunteers, staff, artists, and visitors, we advanced our mission to preserve and celebrate the vibrant history, art, and culture that unites us. This report highlights our measurable impact and the foundation that has been built for continued success. Minutes of the February 11, 2026 Museum Arts and Culture Board Meeting Page 2 of 4 Key Achievements and Impact Metrics Visitor Engagement • The traveling exhibition Tiffany Gardens in Glass, organized by the Neustadt, transformed the OPM visitor experience and broadened the museum’s appeal to new audiences • Visitor attendance increased 258% year-over-year Revenue Growth • Strategic programming and enhanced visitor experiences drove significant financial growth across all revenue streams • Total revenue: $212,733 (up from $188,936 in 2024) • Visitor admission revenue: $64,775 (214% increase over 2024) • Museum Store sales: $51,252 (435% increase over 2024. Success driven by curated Tiffany-related merchandise and unique gift items • Membership subscriptions: $19,029 (95% of $20,000 stretch goal) Digital and Community Reach • Funding from the Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant Program through Travel Wisconsin and marketing support from Discover Oshkosh amplified our reach. Here are some of the year-end results of the paid advertising campaign. Website Overview: • 101,941 new users (up 1,134% YoY- Year over Year) • 118,309 sessions (up 976% YoY) For very little money you can reach people in Chicago. • 2,826 sessions to landing page from Chicago • 1,602 sessions to landing page from Milwaukee • 1,048 sessions to landing page from Oshkosh • 1,042 sessions to landing page from Appleton Meta Advertising Overview: • Advertising efforts generated 7,631,516 impressions and reached 1,308,488 users across social platforms. Marketing budget is directly significant to the number of people who find OPM. Other notable statistics: • Email subscribers increased 25% • Social media followers grew 10% to 11,000 • 4th annual Día de los Muertos attendance increased 65%. This is the annual free community event that celebrates the traditions and cultures of Chicana, Chicano, and Latinx communities, who represent the fastest-growing population in Wisconsin. Minutes of the February 11, 2026 Museum Arts and Culture Board Meeting Page 3 of 4 • The economic impact that museums have is tremendous. This Tiffany exhibitions had a positive economic impact calculation of over $800,000 for the city. Looking Ahead Building on the momentum of 2025, the Oshkosh Public Museum enters 2026 with expanded capacity and strategic leadership. The museum now operates under the new Cultural and Enrichment Services Department, led by Anna Cannizzo, who serves as Director for both the Oshkosh Public Museum and Cultural and Enrichment Services. This organizational transformation positions OPM to deepen its impact and better serve the community in the years ahead. With gratitude for your partnership in making 2025 a transformative year, we look forward to continuing this journey together. Sponsorship and Donation Update as of 2.10.2026 Lewis Hine - $2,000 from Shirley Mattox (Received) Lewis Hine - $10,000 from JEK Foundation (Received) Crowned in Tradition: Quinceañeras in Wisconsin - $1,000 from Women’s Fund (Received) Bridging Past and Present summer programming - $2,500 from Discover Oshkosh (Received) Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective - $20,000 from Jewelers Mutual (Pledged) Director Cannizzo commented that Board directed funds have allowed museum staff to be bold in their approach to creating and getting exciting exhibitions. That is greatly appreciated. She noted that the above information will be in the spring edition of The Muse. The Board expressed appreciation to OPM staff for all their great work through this past year and particularly for their work and creativity for quarter four of 2025. Chair Redlin then requested the Director’s Report Director Cannizzo began with facilities updates. The Elevator modernization project has been underway for three full weeks. As a reminder it is expected to last for 5-6 weeks. There have been no project disruptions thus far and remains on track to be completed by the beginning of March. The trash enclosure in the staff lot has been completed. The main parking lot is currently scheduled to begin on April 27th pending weather. They expect the construction to last approximately 6 weeks. This may change slightly if there are weather disruptions. Staff will do messaging about parking; River Valley has approved use of their parking lot. The garden sale in May may be affected, but Ms. Schaefer is working with the Garden Club and other participants for that day. Ms. Cannizzo further reported that the project to address repairs to the Sawyer Home windows and exterior rehab of the Carriage House is expected to go out to bid in early March. Director Cannizzo gave a deadline to complete the work by Labor Day weekend. Minutes of the February 11, 2026 Museum Arts and Culture Board Meeting Page 4 of 4 Regarding the City Reorganization Director Cannizzo has been fielding questions from staff and city folks. Regarding new staff hires: The City has hired Drew Bailey to be the Communications and Engagement Manager. She recently met with Mr. Bailey to give him a tour of the Museum and began a conversation regarding the marketing and graphic design needs of the Museum. Director Cannizzo will be working with Mr. Bailey in the near future to recruit for the Graphic Artist position previously held by Daniel Fiser. As a reminder, in the interim OPM is contracting out the graphic design projects to vendors who have existing relationships with OPM. The Marketing and Fund Development position is also under review and she had no announcements regarding the decision on that position as of this meeting. The City has promoted Ryan Lemke to lead the newly created Public Works Operations department. Director Cannizzo has been working with Ryan on the impact to the Parks Department staff in addition to their incorporation of Maintenance staff. There are still a lot of moving parts as the reorganization continues to develop. Director Cannizzo will share updates as they become available. In conclusion, Director Cannizzo was delighted to announce that the newly formed Cultural and Enrichment Services department will be the new organizer for the art fair formerly known as “Faire on the Green” previously organized by the Paine Art Center and Gardens. Museum and Parks Services and Events staff will be working together to transition the art fair to a new venue at the Leach Amphitheater. The art festival will be rebranded “Faire on the Fox” and will take place on July 12th. Keeping it on the 2nd weekend of July. In the coming weeks staff will be working with the Paine staff on the transfer. This is an exceptional opportunity to further activate the Leach and develop and grow this event to become a key arts event for the downtown Oshkosh area that can have a positive economic impact for our community. It is an ongoing goal to continue to develop and then grow signature arts and cultural events like this and activate underutilized areas. Examples like Día de los Muertos and Bridging Past and Present: Exploring Native American Cultural Heritage; these have immense opportunity for further growth under this new department. Bringing more people to the events and programs. Director Cannizzo opened for questions. Vice Chair Brown asked about Osh Hop. Director Cannizzo noted it will be on hold for this year. The parking lot will be under construction. But it is anticipated that Osh Hop will be back in 2027. With no more questions, that ended the Director’s Report. MAC Board Member Statements or Announcements included the following: Ms. Redlin reported that this meeting was Carrie Olson’s last meeting and thanked her for all her work with the public arts policy and for her work on the MAC Board. Carrie Olson expressed that she enjoyed her time on the Board and learning the many details of the Museum and of what the MAC Board does. With no additional agenda items Chair Redlin asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Adjourn Matzke; second Redlin CARRIED: Voice Vote The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.