The American Association of Museums (AAM) accepted the World Awareness Children’s Museum as a participant in the 2014 national Museum Assessment Program (MAP).
Participation in this program will allow the local museum to strengthen its operations, build capacity, enhance communication throughout the organization and better respond to the needs of the Glens Falls and Capital Region community, according to museum officials.
The program has been funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for 30 year. Small and mid-sized museum of all types, including art, history, science, technology, children’s, natural history, historic houses, nature centers, botanical gardens, and zoos participate.
As a self-motivated process, WACM’s participation represents a considerable investment in both human and institutional resources, officials said. Additional support for the program will be provided by AAM through the consultancy of Rhonda Kiest, executive director for Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Conn.
“Choosing to be part of the MAP program is indicative of the World Awareness Children’s Museum’s commitment to civic involvement, public service and overall excellence,” said Ford W. Bell, president of AAM. “Studies have shown America’s museums to be among the country’s most trusted and valued institutions. MAP is designed to make them even better.”
Heather Hickland, director, added “The community engagement MAP is a significant opportunity for the museum at this time. We want to understand the community’s needs and connect with them to provide excellent programming and meaningful visitor experiences. Identifying opportunities that will allow WACM to meet and exceed the highest professional standards of the museum field is vital to maintaining our world caliber facility.”
The World Awareness Children’s Museum has participated in three previous MAP programs; strategic planning, collections and governance.
The current MAP project team includes participants from the board of trustees, as well as museum staff, volunteers and members. In June, the museum will host a special open house focus group for first-time visitors and their children.
Interested participants should contact the museum at 793-2773 to register for the event. Since its creation in 1981, the MAP program has served over 4,300 museums. IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The World Awareness Children’s Museum and go! is located at 89 Warren St. in Glens Falls. Its mission is to inspire curiosity and foster understanding and appreciation of worldwide cultural diversity. For museum hours or other information, visit www.worldchildrensmuseum.org or call 793-2773.
Photo Courtesy World Awareness Museum