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American Alliance of Museums
Creating Successful and Sustainable State Museum Associations

Location: Washington, DC, USA
Sponsor: Laura Lott
Facilitator: Michael Randel
Christiane Frischmuth; Stephanie Brown; Dana Trevask

Description

With the “Museums United” initiative, the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) convened 100 leaders of the state museum associations from across the United States. The 3-day convening, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, was characterized by high levels of engagement and interaction as participants shared information about their work. More importantly, the participants explored and developed a shared model of the characteristics of a successful, sustainable state museum association.

This model, along with insights about the barriers that make it hard to be successful and sustainable, is now being used to strengthen the state museum associations in 47 states and territories across the country. The beneficiaries of the enhanced services provided by the state museum associations are the staff, boards and volunteers of the 30,000 museums in the United States, along with the millions of domestic and international visitors to these museums.

Key Results Achieved

Key results achieved include:

  • Shared model of the characteristics of a successful, sustainable state museum association

  • Strengthened network of peer support, alliances and trusting relationships among the leaders of the state museum associations and the convening national association

  • Award of a $500,000 grant by the federal government to support the second phase of “Museums United”
     

    Sponsor: Laura Lott
    President and CEO AAM
    Facilitator: Michael Randel
    Christiane Frischmuth; Stephanie Brown; Dana Trevask
    Randel Consulting Associates