HomeMy WebLinkAbout02. Museum Board Minutes December 3, 2015 Minutes of the December 3,2015 Board Meeting
"'�- "° rT1 (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, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Dedow, School Board President
Ms. Fenrich Ms. Matzke
Mr. Hoffman, Vice President Mr. Rego,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:
A. Minutes of the November Board meeting
B. December Bill List
C. Receipt and filing of 3rd Quarter Reports for Museum Funds Held at the Oshkosh
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.
A correction was made to the Minutes: Mr. Loiacono is Associate Professor of History at
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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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.
Mr. Rego then requested that Mr. Larson present his Director's Report.
Mr. Larson began his report with the analysis of the Museum's summer exhibition Great War to
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
Center for Downton Abbey, but that was minimal. Ms. Drew stated she agrees with Brad's
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 is open to the public.
Mr. Larson noted that the GWGG analysis reflects $9,000 in contractual services necessary to
build walls and sets. Ordinarily, the summary would only reflect construction 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
visitor during Great War, 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. Mr. Loiacono mentioned the idea to have more "Oshkosh" items, to offer things
people can wear to show their Oshkosh pride.
Next, Mr. Larson reviewed the analysis of the 2015 Night Whispers event. The summary reflects
that the majority of the 2015 costs were associated with reshooting the stories using actors. To
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 actors and
shooting against a neutral background. In 2016,Night Whispers 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 2016. Ms. Thierman recommended
moving the bar to a more prominent area, as people don't easily see it at Night Whispers and at the
Gala. Ms. Drew recommended noting "cash bar" on the brochures and posters so people will be
more aware that they can come early and relax prior to their tour. It was noted that currently the
reservation confirmations note that information.
Oshkosh Public Museum■1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
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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 two additional storage rooms,
which is incredibly helpful. The first artifacts to be moved will be the furniture stored in the
Billiard Room,followed by objects in the Fire Barn. That concluded the Director's Report.
There was no President's Report or Board member statement for this meeting.
Mr. Rego then requested that Ms. Shirtz present the Auxiliary Report.
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 asked if attendance to the Gala is by
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 tabs for 2016. 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
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