Open Forum

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

Good morning . . .

The Lyceum is the general city history museum in Alexandria, owned and operated by the city.  Actually, most of the museums in town are owned by the city, under our own department, the Office of Historic Alexandria.  Technically, yes, city council is our board of directors, but they're typically most involved just through the budget process.  Administratively, our dept. head reports to the City Manager, and this has worked well since the dept. was created in 1983.

As a city agency, we can certainly apply for grants on our own, but most of the museums also have a separate 501.c.3 friends group associated with it, as well, which takes the lead in advocacy, fund-raising, and provides a membership base.

------------------------------
James Mackay
Director
The Lyceum
Alexandria VA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2015 07:54 PM
From: Robert Barzan
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

Thank you James. This is similar to what we have in Modesto. Can I ask what percent of the budget the friends group provides annually?

wishing you well,

Bob

------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum
Modesto CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-19-2015 08:41 AM
From: James Mackay
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Good morning . . .

The Lyceum is the general city history museum in Alexandria, owned and operated by the city.  Actually, most of the museums in town are owned by the city, under our own department, the Office of Historic Alexandria.  Technically, yes, city council is our board of directors, but they're typically most involved just through the budget process.  Administratively, our dept. head reports to the City Manager, and this has worked well since the dept. was created in 1983.

As a city agency, we can certainly apply for grants on our own, but most of the museums also have a separate 501.c.3 friends group associated with it, as well, which takes the lead in advocacy, fund-raising, and provides a membership base.

------------------------------
James Mackay
Director
The Lyceum
Alexandria VA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2015 07:54 PM
From: Robert Barzan
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

It really varies site to site, but none of our museums count on their group for operating funds . . . that's all from the city.  Friends monies typically pay for additional or special programming, object aquisition or conservation, or exhibit receptions . . . things like that . . . which definitely help us stretch our operating dollars.

The Lyceum's own friends group is all but defunct, but that's another story . . .

------------------------------
James Mackay
Director
The Lyceum
Alexandria VA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-19-2015 11:03 AM
From: Robert Barzan
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Thank you James. This is similar to what we have in Modesto. Can I ask what percent of the budget the friends group provides annually?

wishing you well,

Bob

------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum
Modesto CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-19-2015 08:41 AM
From: James Mackay
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Good morning . . .

The Lyceum is the general city history museum in Alexandria, owned and operated by the city.  Actually, most of the museums in town are owned by the city, under our own department, the Office of Historic Alexandria.  Technically, yes, city council is our board of directors, but they're typically most involved just through the budget process.  Administratively, our dept. head reports to the City Manager, and this has worked well since the dept. was created in 1983.

As a city agency, we can certainly apply for grants on our own, but most of the museums also have a separate 501.c.3 friends group associated with it, as well, which takes the lead in advocacy, fund-raising, and provides a membership base.

------------------------------
James Mackay
Director
The Lyceum
Alexandria VA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2015 07:54 PM
From: Robert Barzan
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

Good morning,

The Milwaukee Public Museum existed as a city owned entity from the 1880's - 1970's at which point it transferred ownership to Milwaukee County. In 1992, a public-private partnership was struck between Milwaukee County and the newly formed Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc., a private, nonprofit, 501c3 corporation. MPM assumed the operation of the museum under a lease and management agreement, and Milwaukee County maintained ownership of the collections, building, and land.
The new structure allowed MPM to raise new and additional donor support that allowed the Museum to expand and revamp its facilities. 

Hope this is useful

------------------------------
Art Montgomery
Education Manager
Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee WI
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2015 07:54 PM
From: Robert Barzan
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

Thanks Art. This is helpful. If I can ask two more questions. Does the county also pay for maintenance of the building or does that come from the MPM Budget? How do new acquisitions happen, does MPM purchase and maintain ownership, are they deeded to the county, are there two collections under one roof, the items that belong to the county and those that belong to MPM?

 Thank you

------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum
Modesto CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-19-2015 09:14 AM
From: Art Montgomery
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Good morning,

The Milwaukee Public Museum existed as a city owned entity from the 1880's - 1970's at which point it transferred ownership to Milwaukee County. In 1992, a public-private partnership was struck between Milwaukee County and the newly formed Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc., a private, nonprofit, 501c3 corporation. MPM assumed the operation of the museum under a lease and management agreement, and Milwaukee County maintained ownership of the collections, building, and land.
The new structure allowed MPM to raise new and additional donor support that allowed the Museum to expand and revamp its facilities. 

Hope this is useful

------------------------------
Art Montgomery
Education Manager
Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee WI
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2015 07:54 PM
From: Robert Barzan
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

Good morning,

In terms of ongoing maintenance - roof, windows, HVAC, etc that have to do with the building structure the museum submits to the county for the work - contract bids, authorizations for the work, etc. There is a general maintenance budget that MPM has as well. Our facilities director would speak to the detail.

All MPM collections are owned by the county. Any new acquisitions would belong to the county. MPM would have responsibility for the care/preservation as part of the contract between Milwaukee County and MPM inc.

------------------------------
Art Montgomery
Education Manager
Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee WI
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-19-2015 10:59 AM
From: Robert Barzan
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Thanks Art. This is helpful. If I can ask two more questions. Does the county also pay for maintenance of the building or does that come from the MPM Budget? How do new acquisitions happen, does MPM purchase and maintain ownership, are they deeded to the county, are there two collections under one roof, the items that belong to the county and those that belong to MPM?

 Thank you

------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum
Modesto CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-19-2015 09:14 AM
From: Art Montgomery
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Good morning,

The Milwaukee Public Museum existed as a city owned entity from the 1880's - 1970's at which point it transferred ownership to Milwaukee County. In 1992, a public-private partnership was struck between Milwaukee County and the newly formed Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc., a private, nonprofit, 501c3 corporation. MPM assumed the operation of the museum under a lease and management agreement, and Milwaukee County maintained ownership of the collections, building, and land.
The new structure allowed MPM to raise new and additional donor support that allowed the Museum to expand and revamp its facilities. 

Hope this is useful

------------------------------
Art Montgomery
Education Manager
Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee WI
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2015 07:54 PM
From: Robert Barzan
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House is a Historic House Museum that was under private ownership until 1986 when it was willed to the County by the last owner. The County didn't think they had the funds to manage it so they did a swap with the city of Eugene who is the current owner.

 I am the Executive Director of the nonprofit that has a contract with the city to manage/operate the facility and it's collections. The City gives us a small amount a year for operating and we make up the rest of our budget through operations and fundraising. Outside or structural maintenance is done by the City and we do the rest. If there are changes we want to do or major restorations (we are restoring our 127 year old windows right now) we do match grants with the city to help pay for those projects. 

------------------------------
Leah Murray
Executive Director
Shelton McMurphey Johnson House
Eugene OR
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2015 07:54 PM
From: Robert Barzan
Subject: Governance of City Owned Museums

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------

Hi Everyone,

I would like to know what models are used for governance of city owned museums, especially art museums. Is your museum governed by a board of directors? Who makes up the board? How are they appointed? Do they have the same responsibilities as a nonprofit board of directors? Is it working?

Second, is your city owned museum in relationship with a 501c3 that receives grants and gifts on behalf of the city owned museum? How do you manage that relationship? Contracts? MOUs?

I am a member of the Modesto Culture Commission and we are exploring different models for city owned museums. We have two.

Thank you
------------------------------
Robert Barzan
Architecture Curator
Modesto Art Museum

Chair - Modesto Culture Commission
Modesto, California
------------------------------