New Funding Programs
Governance
Research
Funding
A New MAP for Community Relations
The Museum Assessment Program (MAP) has introduced a revised version of its Public Dimension Assessment. This assessment addresses a museum’s relationship with its community and examines areas such as programming, visitor services and marketing. The revised assessment is designed to better help museums identify, target and collaborate with new audiences. It incorporates findings from AAM’s Museums and Community Initiative. AAM hopes that the assessment will strengthen the ties between museums and their communities and encourage mutually beneficial collaborations. To apply visit www.imls.gov . For more information on the revised Public Dimension Assessment click here.
Do You Have Your DUNS Number?
As of October 1st, 2003 all applicants for federal funds must provide a Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System number (DUNS). The federal Office of Management and Budget is responsible for this directive. A DUNS number is used to identify business entities. Organizations may obtain a DUNS number at no cost by calling 866.705.5711 or visiting www.dnb.com/us. It can take 30 days or longer to receive a number, so plan ahead if you are applying for federal funding this year.
Governance
Board Evaluations
Is your board ready for evaluation? There are lots of resoDecember 14, 2007oardSource and the Museum Trustee Association both offer computer-based tools, making the data collection and analysis simple and fast.
Recently, BoardSource introduced the “Online Self-Assessment” package. Board members complete surveys evaluating their satisfaction with the board’s performance in ten areas of responsibility. The surveys are sent electronically directly to BoardSource, which then analyzes the data and produces reports of the results. For additional fees, BoardSource offers customized surveys and a self-assessment led by a consultant. More information is available at www.boardsource.org or by calling 800.883.6262.
The seDecember 14, 2007stees software series, “The Leadership Partnership”, facilitates a mutual assessment by boards and directors. Several questionnaires, to be completed annually, ask the board and director to evaluate themselves and each other. Tools allow for data analysis and chart trends over time. The Templates for Trustees are very reasonably priced at $60 for AAM members and $75 for non-members. For more information see the Resources section of www.mta-hq.org or call 202.367.1180.
Research
A great research resource
The website of the Center for History and New Media (http://chnm.gmu.edu) at George Mason University was designed to serve scholars and teachers. The site is a great source for finding historical sources, using the latest digital technology. The Center (CHNM) is involved in a number of online projects combining digital media and computer technology with historical scholarship and resources; access to these projects, along with hosted journals, archives and resources, is available through its website. Many of the projects of CHNM use the web to bring together different types of historical sources—audio, text, and images—in an effort to expand the ways the past is studied, understood and interpreted. CHNM strives to make history more accessible, while also providing tools to help the public find and interpret good history on the web. Among its resources, the CHNM site offers a free set of digital tools for teachers and others including Poll Builder, Syllabus Finder and Survey Builder. A great way to collect feedback, Survey Builder allows for the simple creation and management of online surveys which can be linked to an organization’s website. After creating a unique survey, the management function allows users to view, post, reply to and track the number of responses.
