Oklahoma Museums Encouraged to Apply for the MAP and CAP Programs

MAP

The Museum Assessment Program (MAP) helps maintain and improve operations through a confidential, consultative process.  AAM provide guidance in meeting priorities and goals and understanding how your museum compares to standards and best practices. If your museum is facing challenging financial times, participating in MAP can help:

• prioritize goals so you can allocate resources wisely,
• document your needs so that you can make a stronger case to funders,
• provide recommendations on ways to become an even stronger institution.

The four assessments to select from include Institutional Assessment (IMAP); Collections Management Assessment (CMAP); Public Dimension Assessment (PDA) and Governance Assessment (GMAP)

In less than a year, your museum can complete a self-study, have a site visit by a peer reviewer and begin implementing recommendations.  Applications opened on September 1, 2009 and the deadline to submit is November 30.  Please contact MAP staff at 202-289-9118 or map@aam-us.org to receive a link to the application or visit http://www.aam-us.org/museumresources/map/index.cfm for more information.  MAP is a program of the American Association of Museums with support from the Institute of Museum of Library Services.

CAP

The Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) provides small to mid-sized museums of all types, from art museums to zoos, with a general conservation assessment of their collections, environmental conditions, and facilities. Forms for applying to CAP are available at www.heritagepreservation.org. The postmark deadline for submitting applications is December 1, 2009.

Program participants may start their assessments as early as January 1, 2010, making it possible for museums to get feedback on their collections and historic structures without delay. For more information, call 202.233.0800 or email cap@heritagepreservation.org.

While visiting CAP's Web site, click on the cake to see the new feature "Twenty Years of Conservation Improvements through CAP." The feature celebrates CAP's twentieth anniversary by showcasing one museum from each year in the twenty year history of CAP. Each museum's story demonstrates how the staff has used their CAP report recommendations to raise awareness of the importance of conservation at their institutions, improve collections care, and raise funds.  Read More at http://www.heritagepreservation.org/CAP/index.html