HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1 y ��� Minutes of the May 5,2016 Board Meeting
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The May meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum Board was held on Thursday, May 5, 2016, 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 Ms. Matzke Mr. Hoffman,Vice President
Ms. Drew, Secretary Mr. Rego, President Mr. Haffeman
Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman Mr. Mack, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Loiacono, alternate Mr. Dedow, School Board President
With Mr. Haffeman's absence, Mr. Rego appointed Mr. Domer.
With Mr. Hoffman's absence, Mr. Rego appointed Mr. Loiacono.
Also in attendance: Director Brad Larson and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books recording
the minutes.
Consent Agenda items included the following:
A. Minutes of the April Board meeting
B. May Bill List
C. Receipt and Filing of 1st Quarter Statements for Museum Funds with the Oshkosh
Area Community Foundation
Mr. Domer moved that the Consent Agenda be approved.
Second by Ms. Fenrich.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Mr. Domer Ms. Matzke None
Ms. Drew Mr. Rego
Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman
Mr. Loiacono
The vote was unanimous in favor and the Consent Agenda items were passed.
Mr. Larson then presented the final design for People of the Water. He noted that staff is in charge
of contracting some of the work such as moving sprinklers and duct work, as well as doing some
of the work such as making false walls and making exhibit mounts. The Museum will use the
idea that Mr. Mack brought forward, to use cork-backed flooring to help with sound deadening.
Minutes of the May 2016 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 1 of 4
Mr. Larson was pleased to report that due to a recently released software update by Past Perfect,
the Museum has what is needed for the various video elements. No new computer programs will
be needed. There will be several areas at which visitors can watch and listen to stories told of
early people. Staff has been researching to make everything as accurate as possible. A University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee doctoral student, Rob Aldrich, as well as Dr. Reser of the University of
Wisconsin - Stevens Point and Dr. Behm of the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh have been
available to verify dates and identify point styles.
Ms. Drew expressed she is pleased to have the two Native Nations informed and approving of
the stories; and is pleased the Museum has the electronic means for visitors to hear the stories.
Mr. Larson noted the Ho-Chunk and Menominee Nations will provide images to be sure the
exhibition includes a wall representing current Native American heritage. Mr. Loiacono, too, was
glad to see the tribes being consulted and participating, and happy to have the exhibition bring
the story of the groups up to the present. Mr. Larson expressed that due to limited space in the
gallery the decision was made to focus on the tribes that were originally in this area during the
development of this region.
Ms. Matzke moved that the Board, having approved the design, approve moving forward with
People of the Waters exhibition fabrication.
Second by Ms. Drew.
The vote went as follows:
In Favor: In Favor: Against:
Mr. Domer Ms. Matzke None
Ms. Drew Mr. Rego
Ms. Fenrich Ms. Thierman
Mr. Loiacono
The vote was unanimous in favor and motion was passed.
Mr. Larson then presented information regarding future capital improvements and long-term
exhibition plans. He reviewed the elements of the five year plan. One element is to move
Memories and Dreams to what is now the Red Gallery (currently used for temporary exhibitions.)
That would free up the large space where Memories and Dreams is currently, for future temporary
and traveling exhibitions. Reasons for this change include that the entry renovation will include a
freight elevator to the second floor, giving the Museum more exhibition options. In addition,
there are fewer floor load limitations in the current Memories and Dreams area; whereas the Red
Gallery is part of the original Sawyer home and therefore has load/weight limitations. Ms.
Matzke asked if the budget for the renovation of the entry is in the City budget. Mr. Larson
confirmed it has been included in the City's five year plan. Ms. Drew expressed her pleasure in
seeing things that have been discussed and planned finally being turned into reality.
Minutes of the May 2016 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 2 of 4
QUICK LOOK: FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
2017
• Opening of People of the Waters (pending full funding)
• Conceptual planning with Engberg Anderson for the entrance renovation/expansion
($20,000)
• Conceptual planning with Split Rock Studios for entrance exhibition, current Memories &
Dream gallery, and red gallery ($60,000)
2018
• Entrance work ($645,000 City allocation, plus other funds)-estimated six months
construction time
• Associated lower level work ($75,000)
• Landscaping Phase II parking lot/s ($360,000)
2019
• Landscape work Phase III,north grounds, ($175,000)
• Continue Memories &Dreams work ($150,000)
• WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MO UNT A MAJOR WORLD-CLASS EXHIBITION
AFTER ENTRANCE OPERATIONAL- TWO EMPTY GALLERIES
2020
• Final phase of landscape northwest corner ($525,000)
• Completion of new Memories &Dreams gallery ($400,000)
Next, Mr. Larson reviewed the status of components in the Museum's 2014 strategic plan. He
shared a handout showing the various things staff has accomplished thus far. Some of the
elements are complete, others are ongoing efforts.
Mr. Rego then requested that Mr. Larson present the Director's Report.
Mr. Larson began his report with information regarding the Museum's internship program. He
noted everything is almost set for the formalized, paid internship program; two interns will be
working with collections, and one with archival material. Museum staff learned the steps
necessary to have this as an ongoing program, so when this is done again, everything will flow
quickly. Mr. Larson is confident this is an excellent program for the Museum and for students.
Anna Cannizzo is coordinating most tasks and she has done an excellent job.
Next Mr. Larson updated the Board on the 2016 summer exhibition, Geniuses of Oshkosh. This
exhibition opens July 2 and while staff has a lot to do yet, everything is moving ahead smoothly.
One goal of this exhibition is to encourage conversation about what constitutes a genius, and who
is included in this exhibition and who is not. Staff approached the development of Geniuses of
Oshkosh differently than previous exhibitions. Creating interpretive exhibitions with experienced
staff who have worked together for many years is the ideal situation, because everyone pretty
Minutes of the May 2016 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 3 of 4
much knows what they have to do without a lot of discussion, instruction, or scheduling.
However, with the number of new staff, some were unclear about how an exhibition comes
together; who is responsible for certain tasks, how tasks go forward, and how best to
communication and work out schedules. Given that, Mr. Larson wanted to use Geniuses of
Oshkosh as a way to help train new staff and pass on accumulated knowledge, helping forge a
staff that can carry on through future staff change-over. This process will be used through the
next few exhibitions.
Regarding 2017 exhibitions, Mr. Larson noted staff is anticipating a temporary summer exhibition
that is compatible with People of the Waters. In a few weeks Curator Debra Daubert and Mr.
Larson are meeting with an artist to discuss presenting an exhibition of contemporary Native
American artists in Wisconsin. There are many truly outstanding Native American artists who do
both traditional and contemporary art, working in wood, beadwork, painting, silver, and other
mediums. Such an exhibition would be an ideal match with People of the Waters. That concluded
the Director's Report.
Mr. Rego then noted that Auxiliary President, Barb Shirtz, was not able to be here for the
meeting, but she wanted to share the following:
Three new Auxiliary Board Members were appointed: Nancy Samida, Jane Hoffman, and Sue
Eichman. Also, Ms. Shirtz looked again closely at the IRS materials and found a provision that a
Public Charity that changed categories, but really remained as a Public Charity can apply to be
reinstated retro-actively. She talked further with an agent to confirm things and has since sent a
letter with the forms and$400 to the IRS to request the Auxiliary be retro-actively assigned Public
Charity status, so as to not need to have a five year waiting period. That concluded the Auxiliary
Report.
Election of Officers was next on the agenda for the 2016-2017 Board officers.
Ms. Thierman nominated Mr. Rick Rego to be Board President for the term.
Ms. Matzke seconded.
The vote was unanimous in favor.
Ms. Matzke nominated Mr.Jim Hoffman to be Board Vice President.
Ms. Thierman seconded.
The vote was unanimous in favor.
Ms. Fenrich nominated Ms. Drew for Board Secretary.
Mr. Domer seconded.
The vote was unanimous in favor.
With no other agenda items Mr. Rego asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Thierman so moved and
Mr. Domer seconded the motion.
The vote was unanimous in favor and the motion was passed.
The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Minutes of the May 2016 Museum Board Meeting
Oshkosh Public Museum■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard■Oshkosh,Wisconsin 54901
Page 4 of 4