MUSEUMS REACHING COMMUNITIES : A CASE STUDY OF THE 2005 INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES NATIONAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

ISBN-13: 9783639175066 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 68 str.

Kelli O'Leary

Opis

Community outreach strategies used by threenationally recognized museums are described and theirapplication to the broader museum field isassessed. The museums described were selected for the2005 Institute of Museum and Library ServicesNational Award, the highest honor that the nationconfers on museums for their contributions to theircommunities. The recipients were COSI Toledo, Toledo,Ohio, the Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte,North Carolina, and the Pratt Museum, Homer, Alaska.The institutions are analyzed in terms of theirgovernance, institutional priorities, managementstrategies, and communication style. Patterns ofpractice emerge within the three institutions tofacilitate community involvement and collaboration.These practices have applicationwithin the broader museum field and include:visionary leadership and shared decision making;strategic positioning within the city; presentingdiverse perspectives; committing to long-termcollaborations; willingness to take risks;staying in touch with the needs and interests ofcommunities; reflecting on and addressing internalpractices and public identity; and encouraging youthinvolvement.

O autorze

Kelli O'Leary received her M.S. degree in Museum Studies at the
University of Colorado at Boulder specializing in adult education
and community outreach.