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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAM Minutes: 09/07/16MUSEUM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, September 7, 2016 CALL TO ORDER — Chair Carter called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Museum Education Center. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Dale Carter, Victor Wu, Donna Lee, Virginia Blitz, Curator Dana Hicks, Library Services Manager Roger Hiles, and Education Coordinator Rebecca Wilcoy. ABSENT: Commissioner Carlos Reza, Jr. Approval of an excused absence for Commissioner Reza was moved by Commissioner Wu, seconded by Commissioner Lee, and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Commissioners Carter, Lee, Blitz, and Wu NOES: one REPORTS FROM USE COMMISSION MEMBERS / LIAISONS Commissioner Blitz, as liaison to the Friends of the Arcadia Museum, shared that the group has had two monthly meetings since the last commission meeting. The Friends will be having a joint meeting with the Arcadia Museum Foundation next week, and Commissioner Blitz noted that the presidents of both groups are working diligently to determine the next steps for the groups as they move forward. Commissioner Blitz also helped with the opening reception for the WWI Balloon School exhibit and commented that the exhibit was really well done. DIRECTOR REPORTS A. Report from the Director: Library Services Manager Roger Hiles reported for Director Hayes in her absence. City Council unanimously voted to name the Museum Education Center for the late Floretta K. Lauber. The building will now be known as the Floretta K. Lauber Museum Education Center. Director Hayes will be retiring at the end of the calendar year, and her position has officially been posted by the City's human resources department. Report from the Curator: Curator Hicks reported on the renaming of the Museum Education Center. Currently, the Museum is featuring an exhibit of photographs of the World War I Balloon School. This exhibit features new photographs from the Museum's collection, purchased or donated after the first exhibit on this topic nearly six years ago. Museum staff is continuing preparations for the 15 th Anniversary and the Arcadia Museum Foundation's annual dinner. Exhibits are being updated, including the "Famous Arcadians" exhibit, which is being revamped by a longtime volunteer, Laura Henneforth. The summer program series, Arcadia at the Movies, closed with success. This was the first time the Museum used a film historian for the lecture portion and it was a great success. Annick Downhower is a film historian and local Arcadia resident. Curator Hicks reported that she is excited to share that Ms. Downhower has agreed to speak at next year's movie series and is looking forward to becoming more involved with the museum. The next temporary exhibit in the Museum will be "Eleven Square Miles: Arcadia's Maps Through Time", which will open on October 1 and will be on display through November 5. The last exhibit of the year will be a one -woman art show featuring the -work of longtime Museum volunteer, Laura Henneforth, titled, "Singular, Plural, Multiple: The Art of Laura Henneforth Museum staff are also preparing for the annual employee open house and pie social, set for September 8. Curator Hicks invited all Commissioners to attend. Curator Hicks also reported on the Railroad Symposium, on October 8, which will feature five speakers, including Commissioner Carter. The next Lunchtime Talk will be September 15, and will feature a speaker from the Pasadena Museum of History. Curator Hicks also informed the Commission that the Baldwin figure has been completed and shared some photos of the figure. It will be unveiled at the Foundation dinner in October, and will go on display in the Museum for the public to view the following business day. Curator Hicks also shared a publication sent by Churchill Downs. The article used several historical images, from the Museum's collection, of Santa Anita Park in an article about the upcoming Breeder's Cup. Education Coordinator Wilcox shared that the Museum has accepted three new Young Adult Volunteers for the 2016-2017 school year. The orientation and welcome breakfast is scheduled for September 10. There are two upcoming Hands -On Saturdays for Families programs: one on September 24 all about Russia and another on October 29 that will be a Dia de Los Muertos celebration. Both programs will feature music, food, and traditional crafts. Education Coordinator Wilcox also noted that the Young Adult Volunteers will have more opportunities to become involved with the Museum through the initiation of the Museum Youth Council. This council will serve as an advisory board for Museum staff and will learn about planning, researching, and implementing the Hands -On Saturdays for Families program. Curator Hicks then began her presentation on the accreditation process. Curator Hicks shared the website for the national organization American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). Both organizations supply programs to assist museums through the accreditation process. After an intensive introduction, Curator Hicks asked that the Commission members spend some time looking at the sites and the accreditation programs offered by each organization on their own time. Curator Hicks then focused on the AASLH program titled, StEPs (Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations), which she feels will be the best program for our size, staff, and resources. Curator Hicks will continue to research this program and will report back with more information at the next meeting, and is looking forward to working with the Commission toward future accreditation. C. Updates on annual trip to tour off-site museum: Curator Hicks reached out to the Commission's first choice, which was The Bowers Museum. Unfortunately, they are unable to accommodate our tour. Curator Hicks contacted the Ontario Museum of Art and History, who were excited about hosting our trip. The Commission agreed to schedule the visit for November 8, 2016. Curator Hicks will finalize the plans and send a confirmation email to the Commission. D. Updates on Gilb Museum 1 5th Anniversary, October 2016: Curator Hicks reported thal preparations continue for this event. The Foundation and Friends will be meeting jointly in September and more details will be known then. She reported that the invitations have been sent to the printer so they should be mailed out soon. The theme is "Mariachis and Margaritas. -wo Commission Photograph: Due to Commissioner Reza's absence, the photograph ha - been postponed. P kq a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of July 6, 201p Recommended action: Approve Approval of Consent Calendar Item (ta" was moved by Commissioner Lee, seconded by Commissioner Wu, and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Commissioners Carter, Wu, Lee, and Blitz NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Reza Chair Carter adjourned this meeting at 6:35 p.m. to Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 5:00 p. in the Museum Education Center at 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia. 1 UA .. NO=- I t 6 Roger Hiles, Library Services Van ag er, for Mary ayes, Director of Library & Museum Services Minutes prepared by Rebecca Wilcox, Museum Education Coordinator