School of Professional Studies
Date of Award
4-2024
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Department
School of Professional Studies
Chief Instructor
Kerry Morris, MPA, Adjunct Professor
Second Reader
Kerry Morris
Third Reader
Clark University Writing Center
Keywords
art museums, museum evaluation, museum development, evaluation best practices, surveys
Abstract
The Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM) in Fitchburg, MA has a new 2024-2028 strategic plan outlining the organization’s goals and actions for the next four years. However, the museum does not have sufficient evaluation methods in place to measure the effects of these actions. To resolve this issue, this case study proposes an evaluation plan for the museum’s Development department that can be used to assess their operations in the following areas: visitor services, membership and events, marketing, and funding/donor relations. In particular, the Development department’s goal for this project was to better understand their stakeholders, including their motivations, values, and impressions of the museum, in a way that will eventually enable the department to make adjustments to their plans based on those assessments.
This project utilized a combination of background experience and quantitative and qualitative research on museum evaluation. This case study, “Museums Making Change (And Proving It!): A Case Study Developing Evaluation Plans for the Fitchburg Art Museum’s Development Department,” provides a brief historical background on museum evaluation, explains the challenges facing the museum evaluation sector, and outlines evaluation best practices and recommendations identified through research. As part of the solution, surveys were determined to be a manageable and effective evaluation method for the museum. As a result, the deliverables created are four sample surveys, a list of recommended steps for the Development department to carry out, a timeline estimating the length of time for each of those steps, and a rough cost estimate for the project.
Recommended Citation
Rozmanith, Elizabeth, "Museums Making Change (And Proving It!): A Case Study Developing Evaluation Plans for the Fitchburg Art Museum’s Development Department" (2024). School of Professional Studies. 28.
https://commons.clarku.edu/graduate_school_professional_studies/28
Worcester
No