Online Course: Establishing a Tribal Museum, May 31 – June 25, 2011
Updated: May 13, 2011, Published: May 13, 2011

by Ed FitzGerald

The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO) will be offering its next online course in the National Native Museum Training Program (NNMTP) series: Establishing a Tribal Museum.

Establishing a Tribal museum – or even just expanding or enhancing one – can be quite daunting.  It is a job that demands a clear community vision and an organized approach, which make a tremendous difference for the museum’s future.  Establishing a Tribal Museum will provide the facts and comprehensive advice you need to undertake this endeavor.  This includes considering how your Tribe’s museum can get the community and financial support it needs.  The course walks students through specific steps and considerations to clarify the process of establishing and maintaining a successful Tribal museum.  These steps include writing a mission statement, understanding community expectations, and establishing a collections policy.  Students will explore the potential role of the museum within their Native community and key considerations when establishing a tribal museum.  Topics include collections care, community expectations and benefit, registration, the role of traditional culture and language within the museum setting, exhibitions, conservation, staffing and financial management.

Participants work through sections on their own.  Materials and resources include online literature, slide lectures and dialogue between students and instructors through online forums.  The course is limited to 20 participants.

Course Dates:  May 31 - June 25, 2011

Application Deadline:  May 20, 2011

For more info: http://ncptt.nps.gov/2011/online-course-establishing-a-tribal-museum-may-31-june-25-2011/