The Iowa Museum Association is a statewide service organization, providing industry specific professional development, a communication and collaboration network, a centralized office and communication hub, and an annual meeting and conference for those working, volunteering, servicing, or interested in the museum industry.  The Iowa Museum Association serves over 275 museums, including art centers and art museums, botanical gardens, children's museums, historic sites, history museums, historical societies, living history sites, nature centers, natural history museums, planetariums, science and technology centers, and zoos. Working in the interests of Iowa museums, the Iowa Museum Association builds organizational capacity, advocates to heighten awareness of the field, and fosters community.

The members of the Iowa Museum Association meet annually to transact business and elect leadership.  At the Annual Meeting of the Iowa Museum Association, held October 17, 2016 in Ames, Iowa, the membership elected the following Executive Committee for 2017-2018:  Jodi Evans, State Historical Society of Iowa, Board President; Megan Stout Sibbel, Salisbury House and Gardens, Vice President; Cindy Mitchell-Kniss, Science Center of Iowa, Treasurer and Cristin Waterbury, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Secretary.  The members of the Executive Committee have each served at least one term on the Board of the Iowa Museum Association.

Elected with the Executive Committee were new board members Bob Fitch, LaunchPAD Children’s Museum, Sioux City; Elizabeth Andrews, Waterloo Center for the Arts, Waterloo; Nicky Christensen, Museum of Danish America, Elk Horn; and Eric Anderson, Blanden Art Museum, Fort Dodge.

Bob Fitch has served as Executive Director of LaunchPAD Children's Museum since 2015.  Previously he served as CEO of Nonprofit Leadership Solutions, Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, and served as Communications and Convention Director for the Minnesota Pork Producers.

Elizabeth Andrews, Waterloo Center for the Arts, has over five years experience in a variety of museums, both historical and art, and looks forward to sharing her skills as well as developing new skills through interaction with the Iowa museum community.

Nicky Christensen, Museum of Danish America, has a broad range of experiences in outreach and operations including events, marketing and communication, as well as development and membership activities.  She is a firm believer in statewide cooperation and coordination.

Eric Anderson, Blanden Art Museum, is passionate about strengthening and redefining museums in the context of how they serve their communities.  He believes in collaborative teamwork to develop solutions.

Cyndi Sweet, Executive Director of the Iowa Museum Association, said, “We are excited about the skills and experience our new Board members will bring to the leadership of the IMA.  Bob Fitch has experience both in museum leadership and association leadership and we look forward to his valuable insights.  Elizabeth Andrews has strong curatorial skills and will be an asset in mentoring museums with collections questions.  Nicky Christensen brings experience in two key areas - marketing and fundraising – both critical not only for our association but for Iowa’s museums as they reach out to new audiences and seek funding for their organizations.  And Eric Anderson brings a background that includes both education and leadership experience and how those relate to community service.  All these skills will help us grow in service to IMA members.”

At the January 13, 2017 Iowa Museum Association Board meeting, the Board accepted the unexpected resignation of Sioux City Art Museum Director Al Harris-Fernandez.  Harris-Fernandez's resignation was accepted with regret and thanks for his many years of service to the Iowa Museum Association.  
Billie Bailey, Executive Director of the Grout Museum District, Waterloo, Iowa, was subsequently  appointed by IMA Board President Jodi Evans to serve a two year term 2017-2018, filling the vacancy left on the Board by Harris-Fernandez’s resignation.

Harris-Fernandez served for several years as part of the fundraising and conference auction committee, bringing exciting Sioux City packages to the live auction. Most recently, Harris-Fernandez served as President of the IMA Board, overseeing the 2015 conference in Pella/Knoxville, Iowa and the 2016 40th Anniversary conference in Ames, Iowa. Cyndi Sweet, Executive Director of the Iowa Museum Association said, "We received Al's resignation with regret.  We valued his leadership and he will be missed. We are delighted however that Billie Bailey has agreed to serve on the Board and look forward to making good use of her skills."

Sweet went on to say, "Billie has agreed to serve as Chair of the Iowa Museum Association Advocacy Committee.  She has tremendous experience in this area, and will bring both that experience and her long leadership experience to the Board.  Billie has served as Director of the Grout Museum District, Waterloo, for many years and her insights will be a valuable addition to the Board.  In addition, Billie has past leadership experience with the Iowa Museum Association, serving as Board President 1990-1991 and as an Iowa Museum Association Conference host site in 1980, 1987, 1994, and 2009."

In addition to these new members, Board members returning for an additional term are:  Casie Vance, Ames Historical Society, Ames; Jared McDonald, Madison County Historical Complex, Winterset; Nathan Buman, Shelby County Historical Museum, Harlan; Jennifer Kovarik, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah; Karen Smith, Cedar Falls Historical Society, Cedar Falls; Kathrine Moermond, Old Capitol Museum, Iowa City; Heidi Lung, Museum Studies Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City; Josh Waddle, John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum, Waterloo; Kate Feil, Story City Historical Society, Story City; Jessica Peel-Austin, Brucemore, Cedar Rapids; Lori DeMoss, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum, Knoxville; and Leo Landis, State Historical Museum of Iowa.

Cyndi Sweet noted, “The Iowa Museum Association Board represents the diversity of Iowa’s museums both in subject matter and size.  The IMA seeks to support and assist museums of all sizes and in all stages of development, and the skills these board members bring to the table allow that support and assistance to become a reality.  I look forward to working with this very talented group of board members in 2017-2018.”

For more information about the Iowa Museum Association, visit www.iowamuseums.org or contact [email protected]