Dec. '16 / Jan.'17 

Forum Monthly 

E-newsletter

VAM News 
VAM's 2017 Annual Conference: REGISTRATION IS OPEN
We have a fantastic lineup of events, speakers, and educational opportunities coming up at The Hotel Roanoke, March 18 - 21, 2017. Don't miss out on the largest (and most FUN) gathering of museum professionals in the state. Plan to join us! Learn more and register today.

Be an Advocate for Your Museum 
Save the Date for Virginia Museum Advocacy Day 2017
Join us on January 12th for Virginia Museum Advocacy Day. Meet other passionate museum advocates, learn from the pros, and get to know those who represent you and your museum. You'll have the opportunity to educate members of the General Assembly on the important work you do at your museum. Stay tuned for details.

Consider a Year-End Gift to VAM's Annual Fund
VAM advocates, educates, connects, and provides expertise to Virginia's museums. VAM supports all stages of our members' museum careers, beginning with a free student membership, and providing service and engagement opportunities at all levels. Donate now.

Job Opportunity at VAM
VAM has a current opening for a part-time communications coordinator. The deadline to apply is December 31st. 

In This Issue
VAM News
Member News
Member Kudos
Hails and Farewells
Professional Development Opportunities
More Museum News
Upcoming Deadlines
Member News
VAM members are invited to join the Virginia group for AAM's Museums Advocacy Day in Washington, DC on February 27 - 28, 2017. Our goal is to get a strong group together to let our voice be heard. VAM members receive FREE registration to AAM's Museums Advocacy Day. Contact Jennifer Thomas to learn more. The registration deadline is January 23rd.

Total visitation to the Hermitage Museum & Gardens has continued to grow. By the end of 2015, visitation reached 70,000. To date, the Hermitage has counted more than 97,000 visitors in 2016! Congratulations!

The Chrysler Museum of Art recently announced it will be working with Norfolk, Virginia's Work Program Architects to investigate possible expansion of its Glass Studio. Since opening in 2011, the Glass Studio has become an integral part of the greater Hampton Roads art scene and its Third Thursday performances regularly attract a standing room-only crowd. In June 2017, the Museum and Glass Studio will host the 46th Annual Glass Art Society conference, bringing international glass artists and collectors to Norfolk - further evidence of the wide-ranging impact of the studio on the city's growing reputation as an arts destination. Stay tuned for developments!

Washington Heritage Museums (WHM) recently welcomed their 30,000th visitor of the year. This represents the highest yearly visitation recorded at WHM. Congratulations!

Historic Sandusky is proud to show off its newly-restored entry hall. This room exhibits custom printed period wallpaper, original molding colors, an authentic argand whale oil lamp, a painted floor cloth, and original tall case clock.

An expansion of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg is slated to begin in April.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation says construction will mark the end of a $40 million capital campaign. It will be the first large-scale expansion of the building since it opened in 1985. 
Member Kudos
Dumbarton House has received a grant award from the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities. The grant, valued at more than $55,000, supports the installation of a new HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) system at the Federal-period museum in Georgetown, Washington, DC. Dumbarton House Museum is closing temporarily while the renovation work is undertaken. The historic collection is being put into storage and staff are moving to temporary office space. The Museum re-opens to visitors in April 2017.

Stratford Hall is the proud recipient of the Southeastern Museum Conference's Silver Technology Award in the Applications category for the (re)discover Stratford mobile tour. Congratulations!

Doris Walker Woodson, granddaughter of Frances Twiggs Walker (who served as the head cook for James and Sallie Dooley at Maymont from 1919 to 1925), was presented with the 2016 Maymont House Benevolent Society Award for her outstanding contributions to Maymont's preservation. Her assistance in developing the Maymont Mansion belowstairs exhibit, "In Service & Beyond," and her outreach presentations for thousands of people have helped tell the story of domestic service at Maymont and in the South. 

Randy Abbitt, owner of Deep Creek Landing Marina, recently presented a $13,000 check to Virginia Living Museum staff Rehn West, George Mathews and Rebecca Kleinhample representing the proceeds of the 16th annual James River Striped Bass Tournament. This is the seventh year the museum has received proceeds from the tournament, held in November. Helping Randy (center) hold the check are Kennedy Lockhart, Grayson Godfrey and Ella Godfrey.

The Virginia Historical Society has been recognized as a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. Only the most fiscally responsible organizations receive the coveted 4-star designation. Of the fourteen charitable organizations in the Richmond area to receive this honor, VHS ranks first among arts and cultural institutions, and ranks fourth overall. "There has never been a better time to support the VHS," said VHS Interim CEO and Board Chair, John R. Nelson. "The VHS has much to offer Richmond region visitors and our friends across the state. In 2017, with the direction of our incoming President and CEO, Jamie O. Bosket, we will bring innovative programs and new exhibitions to strengthen the VHS financial base."
Hails and Farewells
Jamie O. Bosket
The board of trustees of the Virginia Historical Society (VHS) recently announced the appointment of Jamie O. Bosket as president and CEO of the VHS. Bosket is currently the vice president for guest experience at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Over nearly ten years he has served in a number of increasingly complex executive positions, driving positive and lasting change. Bosket serves on the board of the Virginia Association of Museums, and on the board of the Alexandria Historical Society. VHS board chairman John R. (Jack) Nelson said, "We are excited by the vision and energy that Jamie will bring to the VHS. His work at Mount Vernon to re-imagine the guest experience and to create innovative revenue-generating programs will serve us well as we work to strengthen the VHS financial base. The board of trustees was particularly impressed by his exceptional leadership qualities."

Martha Katz-Hyman will be leaving her post as curator at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation as of December 31, 2016, due to state budget cuts. Martha will be available for consulting as an independent curator.

Heather Widener
VAM's communications director, Heather Widener, is resigning effective January 6th, after working with VAM since 2004. She'll be working as a writer / editor with Henrico County Public Schools in the Career and Technical Education Resource Center, where she'll be supporting career and technical preparation programs by providing resources for curriculum development and program design

AAM's Board of Directors has ratified the appointment of Jill Hartz as a new accreditation commissioner. Hartz is the executive director of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon in Eugene, a position she's held since 2008. Hartz begins her five-year term as accreditation commissioner in January 2017. 

Tracy DeBernard
Ms. Tracy DeBernard recently joined the James Monroe Museum staff as office and store manager. Tracy will be providing administrative support to the staff and has frequent contact with business vendors and the general public. Welcome!

Erin Hanas recently joined the team at the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) as the associate curator of academic programs. Hanas will develop and foster opportunities for VCU students and faculty to meaningfully engage with the ICA and contemporary art. Anita Yearwood joined the ICA as special events manager. Yearwood will be planning the ICA's fundraising events and opening celebrations.

The University of Virginia recently announced Matthew McLendon, the curator of modern and contemporary art at The Ringling, has been appointed director and chief curator of The Fralin Museum of Art. He will begin his new role on Jan. 9, 2017. Welcome, Matthew!

Jan Hathcock, who oversees public information and is a policy coordinator at the Library of Virginia, has retired. Hathcock's retirement comes as the Library of Virginia faces budget cuts that are forcing the organization to cut back on both hours and staff. All the best in retirement, Jan!
Professional Development Opportunities
Check out the University of Richmond's offerings through their Institute on Philanthropy. From Board Development to Grant Writing, Fundraising to Marketing, there is something for everyone.
  
  

Learn about the Museum Studies Minor at Lynchburg College
You'll learn by doing: visiting museums and historic sites during a study abroad experience, joining an archeological dig, curating an exhibition at LC's Daura Gallery, or gaining real-life knowledge at the Ramsey-Freer Herbarium and Historic Sandusky.

January 25, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond Virginia
Keynote Speaker: Jamie Bennett
The Virginia Commission for the Arts is pleased to announce the 2017 Art Works for Virginia conference in Richmond. The keynote speaker is Jamie Bennett, director of ArtPlace America.

33rd Annual Small Museum Association Conference
February 21, 2017
College Park, Maryland


The Association of Academic Museums & Galleries is accepting proposals through November 7th for its 2017 Annual Conference, Why Museums Matter: The Teaching Museum Today, which will take place Thursday - Sunday, June 22-25, 2017 in Eugene, Orgeon.
More Museum News
An extensive list of response & recovery resources is available on the Heritage Emergency National Task Force's new website. The task force is a partnership of 42 national service organizations and federal agencies.

Preservation Virginia, along with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a coalition of partners dedicated to saving the James River, are asking Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner of Virginia to publicly call on the Army Corps of Engineers to deny the federal permit that would allow Dominion project to move forward. Learn more, sign the letter, and make your voice heard.

A national network representing the value and viewpoints of state museum associations has formed, giving the entities their first ever formal organization. The Coalition of State Museum Associations (COSMA) will focus on building partnerships, communications, and services to support improved performance, influence, and access for associations in all states and territories. Operating with dual status as a 501(c)6 for membership and advocacy and a companion 501(c)3 to focus on learning and professional development, COSMA will be a membership organization with state museum associations as its members. For more information about COSMA, contact Paige Faulkner at mup2@calmuseums.org

The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC) recently received a Museum Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in support of Connecting to Collections (C2C) Care.  Learn more

The Virginia Commission for the Arts recently accepted a $20,000 gift from Dominion Resources for the 2017 Art Works for Virginia conference. The conference will take place Jan. 25, 2017 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and will focus on how the arts can positively shape the social, physical and economic futures of communities. 

The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced more than $30 million will be awarded to nonprofit organizations and individuals across the country for grants in the areas of Art Works, Art Works: Creativity Connects, Challenge America, and Creative Writing Fellowships. Learn more.
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