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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes ,¯´»º«¹Nµ¬Nº®«N#«©«³¨«¸Nv NustxN!µ§¸ªN,««º¯´­N (Approved at the January 7, 2016 Board Meeting.) The December meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday,December 3, 2015, in the Lecture Room of the Oshkosh Public Museum. President Rego called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Ms. Books. Present: Present: Absent: Mr. Domer, alternate Mr. Loiacono, alternate Mr. Haffeman Ms. Drew, Secretary Mr. Mack, Mr. Dedow, Superintendent of Schools School Board President Ms. Fenrich Ms. Matzke Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Rego, President Vice President Ms. Thierman With Mr. Haffeman absent, Mr. Rego appointed Mr. Domer. Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson, Auxiliary President Barbara Shirtz, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording the minutes. Consent Agenda items included the following: Minutes of the November Board meeting A. December Bill List B. Receipt and filing of 3 Quarter Reports for Museum Funds Held at the Oshkosh C. rd Area Community Foundation The Minutes were pulled from the vote. Ms. Thierman moved that the Consent Agenda be approved for items B and C. Second by Ms. Fenrich. The vote went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Mack None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman Ms. Thierman The vote was unanimous in favor and items B and C of the Consent Agenda were passed. Associate A correction was made to the Minutes: Mr. Loiacono is Professor of History at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 3 The vote to approve the Minutes with the correction went as follows: In Favor: In Favor: Against: Mr. Domer Mr. Mack None Ms. Drew Ms. Matzke Ms. Fenrich Mr. Rego Mr. Hoffman Ms. Thierman The vote carried to approve the November Minutes. Great War to Mr. Larson began his report with the analysis of the summer exhibition Great Gatsby (GWGG). The exhibition attracted just over 2,700 visitors, well below the anticipated number of 8,000. Museum staff had expected walk-over traffic from people visiting the Paine Art Downton Abbey Center for , but that was minimal. previous review that the landscape plan is designed to attract and encourage Paine visitors to also walk across the street to visit the Oshkosh Public Museum. She reviewed that various elements are in the plan to further highlight that this building GWGG Mr. Larson noted that the analysis reflects $9,000 in contractual services necessary to build walls and sets. Ordinarily, the summary would only reflectnstruction materials, with the actual work being done in-house by the Exhibit Technician. However, the Museum did not have an Exhibit Technician on staff during this time. Mr. Larson was pleased to share that the average purchase per visitor in the Museum Store has been growing steadily and is reflected in store sales. The average has increased to $1.70 per Great War visitor during , up from about 50 cents per person. It is evident that there is potential for income growth through specific store products, and the Museum has seen more interest in store products as new merchandise is added, and improvements are made to the retail presentation. people can wear to show their Oshkosh pride. Night Whispers Next, Mr. Larson reviewed the analysis of the 2015 event. The summary reflects that the majority of the 2015 costs were associated with reshoot review the reason behind this, in 2014 the Museum did not realize the full capabilities of the computerized projection units that had been purchased. After the first year, staff realized they could significantly improve the visitor experience by reshooting the stories using actorsand Night Whispers shooting against a neutral background. In 2016, admission will increase to $15, $12 for members, no child rate. Mr. Larson noted that with the majority of start-up costs covered the first two years, the Museum is now poised to see a profit in 201 Ms. Thierman recommended Night Whispers moving the bar to a more prominent area, as and at the Gala. more aware that they can come early and relax prior to their tou reservation confirmations note that information. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 3 In conclusion, Mr. Larson discussed progress at the Sawyer Street armory storage facility. This project is one of the last steps necessary to realize the vision for the Museum site created many years ago. Achieving that vision is contingent on the removal of the Fire Barn and that, in turn, requires a place for the artifacts stored there. The Museum now has an excellent storage facility at the Sawyer Street armory, and it was worth the wait. Mr. Larson reported that last week staff worked cooperatively to move a large number of disassembled shelving units and the associated plywood decking to the designated storage space. Maintenance staff, Matt Reinke, will start assembling the shelving units shortly. The Museum has been given, which is incredibly helpful. The first artifacts to be moved will be the furniture stored in Billiard Room, followed by objects in the Fire Barn. There was or Board member statement for this meeting. Mr. Rego then requested that Ms. Shirtz present the Auxiliary Re Ms. Shirtz focused her report on review of the Annual Gala. There were 93 guests, slightly down from 126 people in 2014. After bills are paid it is estimated there will be $2,800 income from admissions, the silent auction, and raffle baskets. Ms. Matzke a invitation only. Ms. Shirtz said it is not. Invitations are sent to all former attendees, City Council and Department heads, and posters and brochures are distributed around Oshkosh inviting people to the Gala. Mr. Mack noted that the coat check went well this year with the much sturdier coat racks. A system was figured out to help people know which coat rack to locate their coats on after the Gala. Mr. Mack recommends getting coat check In conclusion Ms. Shirtz reported that the Auxiliary is pleased with how the Gala went in 2015. That concluded the Auxiliary Report. With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Mack so moved and Ms. Fenrich seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m. Oshkosh Public Museum 1331 Algoma Boulevard Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 3 of 3