Operating a successful museum requires collective action from staff and leadership.

Once a museum’s mission and program offerings have been defined, the next step is to look at the staffing and operational implications of its strategic and programmatic choices.

 

Operational and administrative planning empowers your team

 

Whether ensuring the museum is adequately staffed to support core functions, or to develop and deliver the programming types and scale needed to increase its presence and impact, MGMP works with our clients to understand the roles and talents needed for their organization to take the next step in its growth. Our staffing plans include detailed job descriptions, hiring timelines and salary data, providing the comprehensive set of information you need during the decision-making process.

MGMP also helps our clients to develop new, or revise existing, organizational charts with reporting structures that facilitate interdepartmental communication, efficiency and accountability, while preventing departmental siloing.

Many of our clients also use outside vendors for select operational functions, including security, custodial and food service. MGMP leads a process of examining these options, exploring the pros and cons for each, and developing a range of associated costs.

Efficiency is the future of work

 

New or revised policies and procedures empower museums to grow within the unique context of their operational and staffing capacities.

Policy development is an ongoing process. While start-up organizations need a full range of policies and governance statements, existing organizations also encounter a regular need to formalize habits into policies, especially during periods of growth. 

MGMP works with our clients to review, revise, and create a broad range of policies that promote growth and ensure accountability.

 

Policies we develop

  • Human Resources

  • Public Relations

  • Community Partnerships

  • Volunteer

  • Collections Growth

  • Document Retention

  • Education

  • Exhibitions & Collections Growth

  • Rights & Reproductions

  • Code of Ethics

  • Conflict of Interest

  • Whistleblower

  • Gift Acceptance

  • Membership

Governance dramatically affects a museum’s ability to succeed


 

This is especially true for long-term planning and building projects that require active participation, advocacy and support. 

Because governance affects its potential for success, our process of engaged discussion helps to create buy-in, resolve contradictions and uncertainties, explore opportunities, and strategically leverage assets.

Whether a private 501(c)3 or governed by a parent organization or municipality, we begin our work by helping the group to understand the best approach for their own governance and funding success.

Utilize your Board’s capabilities and talents

 

MGMP helps our clients to review and modify their governance structure, including the role of their Board of Directors or Trustees. 

We’ve helped restructure and expand Boards to increase fundraising capacities for capital projects, and transitioned local, community Boards to ones with a national presence and impact. 

Our process is supported by developing Board orientation handbooks and training materials for new members, revising Board policies, and providing guidance on Board Committee structure.