The 2007 Museum Institute at Sagamore, sponsored by the Upstate History Alliance, will focus on the New Directors. The Institute is a reflective, intensive, four day retreat at Great Camp Sagamore in the Adirondacks that gives New York State museum professionals the opportunity to learn, reflect, and work with their colleagues throughout the state.
The 2007 Institute is September 25-28, 2007. Acceptance to the Institute is by application, which are due, postmarked, by July 15, 2007.
About This Year's Institute
What kind of leader are you? The Museum Institute at Sagamore invites museum directors with less than 5 years of experience to explore their leadership style and discover how to manage the wide range of issues and expectations facing the twenty-first century museum director. Participants will examine the impact of creative leadership and understand how to become champions for institutional vision and mission at their organization. Noted professionals in the field will provide you with a toolkit of information and contacts that will help you succeed in the areas of financial management, human resources, and long-range planning.
To view the schedule for this year's institute and, click here.
About the Institute
The Museum Institute at Sagamore provides museum professionals in New York State opportunities in a historic, reflective setting to:
• Grow individually and professionally
• Think creatively about the power and importance of museums
• Build diverse networks
• Acquire the skills needed to advance the work of organizations
Beginning in 1997, the Museum Institute at Sagamore has brought together New York’s museum professionals with a diverse group of presenters including George Hein, Tufts University; planning consultant Dorothy Chen-Courtin, Lynn Dierking of the Institute for Learning Innovation, consultant Elaine Gurian, historian and exhibition developer Christopher Clarke, and many other notable museum professionals. The Institute is held at Great Camp Sagamore in the Adirondacks, a National Historic Landmark that provides a unique setting for learning and reflection.
Those who have attended consistently rate the Institute highly. In evaluations, participants have said:
"I have learned so much. New ideas, possibilities, and changes that will create a much more active and engaging museum."
"All the presenters were great....it is the most valuable conference I have been to."
"It reminded me of how much I love what I do; and how important and powerful our organizations can be in our community."
"I thought this whole conference was invigorating and enlightening!"
The Institute is created by the Upstate History Alliance, an organization that provides a wide variety of training and professional development opportunities for museums in upstate and elsewhere in New York. These include administration of the Grants for Museum Advancement Program, roundtables, an annual conference, workshops, and traveling exhibitions. The institute is made possible, in part, by support from the New York State Council on the Arts.
Who should Attend
The Museum Institute at Sagamore is open to individuals who are currently employed or serve in a leadership position with a museum or museum service organization. Up to twenty-five participants are selected through a competitive application process that evaluates the following:
• Professional experience, including evidence of leadership experience
• Ability to influence policy and effect change in the applicant’s institution and the museum field
• Commitment to the museum field
• Career progress
• Motivation and goals for participating in the Institute
• Recommendation and support from the applicant’s institution
How Do I Apply?
Applications are due July 15th (postmark date) and successful applicants will be notified by August 1st. Please click here for an application.
What is the Fee?
The total cost to participate in the institute including food, lodging, an extensive resource binder, and all conference materials is $450 for individuals working in New York State museums, $550 for out of state participants. Preference is given to New York State participants. Go! Grants are available to New York museums for professional development opportunities such as the Institute.
Questions?
Please contact the Upstate History Alliance with any questions at 800.895.1648; info@upstatehistory.org
Institute Schedule
Part I. What Kind of Leader Are You?
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
11:00a-2:30p Welcome, Orientation Team Building & Introductions
Led by UHA & Anne Ackerson
2:45-5:00p Creative Leadership: What is it? How do you develop it in yourself and others?
Led by John McCann, Founder and Director of the Institute for Cultural Policy and Practice and Project Director for Innovative Programs in Education at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
7:00-8:30p Creative Leadership
An informal and interactive session based on the information gathered during our first session. Led by John McCann
Part II. The Role of the 21st Century Museum
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
9:00a - 12:00p Embracing Vision and Mission
Led by Randi Korn, Founding Director of Randi Korn & Associates, Alexandria Virginia
1:00 – 3:00p Vision and Mission Continues
Continuing to Examine Vision and Mission with interactive, self-reflective activities. Led by Randi Korn
3:15 - 5:00p What Makes a Museum?
A provocative and insightful look at the current state of the museum field and the challenges and opportunities facing the 21st century museum. Led by Christopher Clarke, Independent Consultant and Historian
7:00 - 8:30p Book Discussion
Participants will be asked to read a book (title TBD) and will spend the evening sharing ideas and reflections as to how it exemplifies the theme of “Creative Leadership.” Facilitated by Christopher Clarke
Part III. Nuts & Bolts of Museum Administration
Thursday September 27, 2007
9:00 - 10:30a Strategic Planning
Strategic Plans are more than pieces of paper that demand a great deal of attention for a short time and then go unnoticed for years. How can you foster a positive attitude towards long-range planning at your institution and maintain a healthy balance of stakeholder input with operational reality? As Director, how can you ensure that the strategic plan becomes the guidepost for work in all areas of the museum?
10:45a - 12:00p Building a High Function Board
Establishing a healthy relationship with the Board of Directors is key to not-for-profit leadership success. This session will help you understand how your leadership style is directly linked to your interactions with this all-important group.
1:00 - 2:30p Ethics & Legal Issues
An overview of the common legal issues and regulations faced by the 21st Century Museum. Led by Stephen Clark, Deputy General Counsel, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY.
2:45 - 5:00p Understanding Museum Finances
The nuts and bolts of non-profit accounting are examined in this session that helps us answer questions about tax reporting, audit requirements and successful budgeting. Led by Lyle Beach Vice President, Finance & Administration, Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester, NY.
7:00 - 8:30p Making the Ask
A lighthearted and sometimes irreverent look at the thing that so many of us fear: So, how does one ASK for money? Led by Christine Graham, Independent Fundraising Consultant, Burlington, VT.
Part IV. Putting It All Together
Friday, September 28, 2007
9:00 - 10:15a Fundraising 101
The not-for-profit world is full of fundraising schemes and operatives. Which ones are worth your time? How do you decide? Is there some great idea just waiting to be tried at my museum? Led by Christine Graham, Independent Fundraising Consultant, Burlington, VT.
10:30a – 12:00p Group Problem Solving Clinics
Facilitated by Christine Graham, Lyle Beach, and others.
Come early on Tuesday or plan to stay later on Friday to enjoy the beauty of Great Camp Sagamore with hiking, canoeing or just relaxing by the edge of the lake.
