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Minutes of the April 3, 2014 Board Meeting
(Approved at the May 1, 2014 Board Meeting.)
The April meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, April 3, 2014, in
the Lecture Room of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Haffeman called the meeting to order
at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Ms. Theresa Books.
Present: Present: Excused:
Ms. Cryan, alt. Mr. Haffeman Mr. Metz
Ms. Drew Mr. Rego Mr. Wiedenhoeft
Ms. Fenrich Mr. Winkler
Ms. Kaufman Mr. Mack
Ms. Thierman, alt. Mr. Daggett
Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Artist Daniel Fiser, and Administrative Assistant
Theresa Books recording the minutes.
There were no citizen statements. No citizens attended.
Mr. Larsrtist, Daniel Fiser. Daniel earned his
undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in 1989; and then returning to studies after
several years, he earned a Masters in Design from the University of Cincinnati. Daniel has
worked in Museums as well as in corporate settings. Daniel addressed the Board briefly to give
details of his background and to answer questions. Daniel noted that he is excited to be back in a
Museum setting.
Consent Agenda items included the following:
A.Minutes of the March Board meeting
B.April Bill List
Mr. Winkler moved that the Consent Agenda be approved.
Mr. Rego seconded the motion.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Ms. Cryan Ms. Kaufman None
Ms. Drew Mr. Rego
Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman
Mr. Haffeman Mr. Winkler
The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed.
Mr. Haffeman then requested that Mr. Larson present his monthly report. Mr. Larson began his
th
grade teachers was extremely
productive and staff collected exactly the kind of information needed to move forward with Split
Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
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Rock Studios. Mr. Larson noted that the teachers were pleased to see that the Museum is already
acting on the strategic plan. With a relatively small gallery (2,500 sq. ft.), they understood why we
have to narrow the focus. Mr. Larson briefed the Board on the content the teachers feel is most
A sense of geographic place
important to include: ; with an emphasis on the Ice Age and the
Native Peoples;
creation of the lakes and landforms. (Paleo, Archaic) with more focus on later
French contact and exploration. Fur Trade.
Woodland cultures. And lastly, Mr. Larson said the
This is huge.Mr. Larson was happy to say that
collections strongly support all four of these areas.
Mr. Larson reported that within these four areas the teachers had specific ideas on how to best
engage students. Museum Assistant, Ms. Katrina Achilla, will be meeting with the teachers in the
coming weeks to collect their specific ideas.
Next Mr. Larson updated the Board on the other major area of the strategic plan that staff are
tackling re-branding the Museum. He noted that many other changes will be based on the
decisions we make with re- and are not yet to the point of
having specific design ideas. Mr. Larson anticipates he may be able to bring recommendations to
the Board as early as the May 1 meeting, when Heidi Strand will present re-branding information.
Blue Door Consulting has done this type of work many times for other clients and Heidi is skilled
and experienced.
In conclusion Mr. Larson thanked the Oshkosh Public Museum Auxiliary for their very generous
contribution to help cover the cost of SRS design work. He then reiterated that the teacher input is
a key part of preparing for work with Split Rock Studios. Because the Museum begins work with
Split Rock Studios on June 3, Ms. Achilli will collect input from the teachers through May 15. He
noted that leaves two weeks to put a presentation together, and to get pre-meeting information to
Split Rock. Mr. Larson anticipates having visuals from Split Rock Studios to review as early as
the July 10 meeting. The end product of work with Split Rock, will be a conceptual
th
plan that addresses the four areas identified by the focus group of 4 grade teachers, and an
accompanying budget, which will be used to raise money for the project.
Board member Ms. Drew noted that she has been working to record details of the handmade
replica pouch the Museum acquired in fall of 2013. In doing research she was in contact with the
Marquette Regional History Center and she will be traveling there to see their museum to gather
and share information.
Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Mack,
bark canoes; this could be a potential source for the Museum if we need to replace the canoe for
the new exhibit. Mr. Mack thanked the Board for their support of the school system. He was
pleased to report that the school referendum passed.
Ms. Barb Shirtz was not able to be at the Board Meeting to give an Auxiliary report.
With no other agenda items Mr. Haffeman asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Thierman so moved
and Mr. Winkler seconded the motion.
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:39 pm.
Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
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