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Starting a Community Museum

Introduction

This toolkit provides an introduction to how to found a community museum. It also includes examples of pre-existing community museums and a list of additional resources.

*Read the What is a Museum Toolkit to familiarize yourself with the basics of museums!*

Note: Museum standards and procedures are constantly changing. This guide is meant to be an introduction, not a definitive authority. For the most up-to-date information, contact your local museum association.

Is a Museum Right For You?

  • Starting a museum is a large undertaking that requires continuous community support.
  • It’s important to consider how your museum will survive and thrive not just now, but 10, 20, even 50 years from now.
  • Consider:
  • How will your museum survive financially?
  • Where will your museum be housed?
  • Who will staff your museum?
  • It’s also worth considering whether other projects would be better suited to preserving your community’s history.
  • For example, an exhibit, a book, or donating to a pre-existing museum
  • See this Workbook on Starting a Museum for more guidance on deciding if a museum is the right choice for you.

First Steps 

1. Contact Your Provincial Museum Association

  • Your local provincial museum association can provide advice regarding standards, laws, grants, and other museum-related concerns.
  • Becoming accredited with your local museum association gives you access to important museum information and resources.

2. Set Up a Governing Board

  • Though governing structures vary, most museums are run by a board of some kind.
  • See Roles and Responsibilities of Museum Boards of Trustees for more information.

3. Create Key Policies

  • Develop a Mission Statement
  • See this Guide to Developing a Mission Statement.
  • Develop a Strategic Plan
  • See this Guide to Developing a Strategic Plan.
  • Also see Guide to DIY Strategic Planning for Small Museums 
  • Develop a Collections Policy
  • See Guide to Developing a Collection Management Policy [Developing-a-CMP-2018.pdf].
  • The Nova Scotia Museum Collection Management Policy [collection_management_policy_may2016.pdf] provides an outstanding example of a well-written collections policy.
  • Develop a Procedures Manual 
  • This is a document based on your museum’s policies that outlines how various functions such as collections management, acquisitions, etc. are to be performed. 
  • It is also used to train volunteers and staff. 
  • Develop any Relevant Additional Policies
  • As your museum continues to grow, you may need to write additional policies.
  • For example, policies concerning deaccessioning, what happens if the museum folds, educational and public programming, etc.

Ongoing Considerations

  • Collections Management
  • Properly taking care of a museum collection is a long-term commitment that requires proper space, materials, and practices.
  • For more information, see the “Collections Management Resources” below.
  • Exhibits
  • See the Mounting Exhibits Toolkit for an introduction to creating physical and digital exhibits.

Examples of Pre-Existing Community Museums 

Ital-Canadian Seniors Association (Edmonton) 

  • The Ital-Canadian Seniors Association in Edmonton hosts its own museum.
  • The museum was originally founded to preserve panels on the subject of Italian-Albertan history purchased from a different museum.
  • It also exhibits many items donated by those who have passed on.
  • This museum is open both to association members and the general public, and is popular with school tours.
  • Read more at https://www.italcanadianseniors.ca/facilities.

Il Museo at Il Centro (Vancouver)

  • Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver hosts its own museum.
  • This museum hosts exhibits on Italian-British Columbian history as well as a variety of art exhibits.
  • It is open to both Il Centro members and the general public free of charge.
  • Read more at https://www.italianculturalcentre.ca/il-museo.

Additional Resources 

General Museum Resources

Museum Suppliers

Collections Management Resources 

Online Collections Management Resources 

Collections Management Books

Kipp, Angela. 2016. Managing Previously Unmanaged Collections: A Practical Guide for Museums. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield

Simmons, John E. and Toni M. Kiser. 2020. Museum Registration Methods. Blue Ridge Summit: American Alliance of Museums

Van Horn, Deborah Rose, Heather Culligan and Corinne MidGett, eds. 2015. Basic Condition Reporting: A Handbook.Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.