September
28, 2018
For
Immediate Release
Iowa
Museum Association Announces Certificate Recipients
Cedar
Falls – The Iowa Museum Association (IMA) has awarded certificates to four
Mason City residents. Joyce Deike
(Wright on the Park & Stockman House), Kay Ingersoll (Kinney Pioneer
Museum); Tara Schlichting (Wright on the Park); and Lindsey James (Visit Mason
City), each received a certificate for completion of a series of five workshops
on core museum industry topics. The
series, called “Progressing Toward Sustainable Small Cultural Organizations,”
is offered annually by the Iowa Museum Association in partnership with city or
county tourism or economic development offices.
The
Cerro Gordo County series took place over six months, and was attended by
representatives from Wright on the Park, Stockman House, Kinney Pioneer Museum,
Friends of Cannonball 457, Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, Mason City
Foundation/Music Man Square, River City Society for Historic Preservation, Surf
Ballroom, and the Carrie Chapman Catt Home.
Participants
discussed topics including mission, vision, and board governance; management and
planning related to budget and staffing; audience and community engagement;
interpretation; and stewardship of collections.
The
purpose of the series is to enable organizations to progress
toward best practices, grow in capacity to serve their communities as stewards,
economic engines, and tourism attractions, and help ensure their sustainability. The series is suitable for museums,
genealogical libraries, historical societies, history associations, county
conservation boards, library history rooms, community history centers, and
other collecting institutions. It is
offered in only one location in Iowa each year.
Speakers
during the 2018 series were Jennifer Kovarik, Vesterheim Norwegien Museum,
Casie Vance, Ames Historical Society, Dr. Heidi Lung, University of Iowa, Julie
Huffman-klinkowitz, Cedar Falls Historical Society, and Cynthia Sweet, Iowa
Museum Association.
Speakers
presented four-hour workshops consisting of presentation, group discussion,
activities, question and answer, and handouts.
Institutional homework was suggested during each workshop to assist
participants in focusing on areas that may need review by their staff and Board
of Directors.
The Iowa Museum Association is currently accepting
proposals for the location of the 2019 series.
For more information visit www.iowamuseums.org
or contact [email protected]
or 319-239-2236.