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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes from 4/2/2009 Museum,~ MINUTES OF THE MARCH MEETING OF THE OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM BOARD (Minutes were approved at the Aprii z, zoog board meeting) The regular March meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, March 5, zoo9 in the Lecture Room of the Museum. Board President Rick Rego called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. The roll was taken: Present: Absent: Mrs. Fenrich Mr. Becker Mr. Haffeman (alternate) Mrs. Kujawa Mrs. Knobloch (in at 4:~o p.m.) Mr. Metz Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler A[so present: Museum Director Brad Larson, Assistant Director Michael Breza, Leadership Oshkosh representative Tony Mathe and Brenda Hauber recording the minutes. ~~ Mr. Rego designated Mr. Haffeman to fill the vacancy of Mrs. Kujawa. There were no Citizen Statements. The minutes of the February 5, zoog Museum Board meeting were read. Eugene Winkler moved that the minutes be approved. Carol Fenrich seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Mr. Rego called for the roll call vote: In favor: Opposed: ' Mrs. Fenrich None Mr. Haffeman Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler With the vote unanimous in favor, the motion was passed. The minutes of the February 5, z.oog Board meeting were approved. The March zoog bill listing was then presented. Eugene Winkler moved that the bill listing be approved for payment. Carol Fenrich seconded the motion. Following a brief discussion, Mr. Rego called for the roll call vote: In favor: Opposed: Mrs. Fenrich None Mr. Haffeman Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler The vote was unanimous in favor. The motion was passed and the March zoog bill listing was approved for payment. Mrs. Knobloch came into the meeting. Mr. Rego then asked Mr. Larson to present his monthly Director's Report. The first item to be discussed was the City's Strategic Planning process. Mr. Larson reported that the second planning meeting was held on Monday, March z with one to follow on March 30. Once this portion of the process is completed, the next step will include the Common Council and the community. Mr. Larson said that Fran Henry, the facilitator from FVTC, is very good. He also noted that the museum's strategic plan must be updated because it is necessary to submit the plan as part of federal grants. He explained that going through this city- wide planning has helped him develop ideas forthe museum's plan. The next item was the quilt exhibit. Even though the quality, variety, and number of quilts are outstanding, attendance is off to a slow start. The visitors that do come are impressed with the exhibit. Megan has sent posters and rack cards to quilting organizations and clubs, and senior centers. Mr. Larson noted there are two major quilting events coming up so we anticipate an increase in visitation. We plan to collect Performance Management surveys during this exhibit and our goal is to have ~oo before the quilt exhibit closes on May ~o. He said that the major exhibit for this year coincides with the release of the new film Public Enemies. We are creating this in-house, borrowing items from a number of sources. The one traveling exhibit on gangsters from the FBI was booked. The conceptual design is finished and shortly we will begin writing the exhibit script. Our exhibit will reveal the story behind the crime spree, the conditions of the early ~93os and the fate of those involved. Galleries will done in the Art Deco style and tell the stories through the creation of areas such as a night clubJspeakeasy, a small theater setting as well as a jail cell. Another area will be devoted to Hollywood's depiction and glamorization of gangsters. Visitors will be able to hear radio broadcasts, news reports and music from the early ~93os and explore topics such as the Depression and fashions and clothing. A Community Corner will be created with images supplied by Oshkosh residents taken during the filming of Public Enemies. The revenue side of our zoo9 budget ($~43,000) depends on the financial success of the Public Enemies exhibit, and that effective marketing is the key to drawing an audience. There is only $z8,5oo in the marketing budget for the entire year. Megan 7 Del Debbio did submit a JEM grant proposai to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, and he noted that we should be notified shortly if the application was successful. If we are awarded the grant, it would enable us to promote this exhibit to a much wider audience. The board suggested various media that might be used to promote this exhibit: commercial radio, movie theaters, church bulletins, and wanted posters. We are also working on developing programs and events to coincide with this exhibit. Looking ahead, at the April z meeting Mr. Larson announced that he would present the virtual exhibit tour (fly-through) and discuss the time line and next steps for the proposed expansion. This concluded Mr. Larson's report. At the request of ~arol Fenrich, the next agenda item was a discussion of the recent publication "Museums & Society zo34: Trends and Potential Futures." The discussion and exchange of ideas was begun with Mr. Larson saying that with the rapid changes occurring, it is imperative for the Oshkosh Public Museum to be positioned for the future. He believed that planning and implementing these changes was one of his most important responsibilities. This evolution includes presenting a different type of exhibition, one that incorporates experience-based interactions for museum visitors. The board agreed that the Apostles Clock and the Sawyer house were iconic and would serve as familiar and reassuring anchor points for residents. Gene Winkler presented a list of ideas and action steps for discussion. During the discussion Mr. Haffeman excused himself from the meeting at 5:05 p.m. Mrs. Knobloch noted the positive changes she has seen in the board's function. It has gone from concerns with day-to-day running of the museum to the necessary planning for the museum's future. There was no President's Report, no Board member statements, and no Auxiliary representative. With no further business before the Board, Janet Moldenhauer moved that the meeting adjourn. Eugene Winkler seconded the motion. The voice vote went as follows: In favor: Opposed: Mrs. Fenrich Mrs. Knobloch Ms. Moldenhauer Mr. Rego Mr. Winkler The voice vote was unanimous in favor. adjourned at 5:~5 p.m. None The motion was passed and the meeting was