Washington Museum Association 1997 Annual Conference

June 11, 1997 • WMA Board Meeting and Opening Reception
June 12­13, 1997 • Annual Conference
June 14, 1997 • Post-Conference Workshop
Hosted by the
Yakima Valley Museum

2105 Tieton Drive, in sunny Yakima where "irrigation feeds the nation"

Museum philosophy, service to community and diverse audiences, cosmic challenges of the millenium's endall have been the subject of much debate at recent museum conferences everywhere. Sometimes, however, there comes a time when we should quit talking and Just Do It. The 1997 conference is, therefore, intended to provide concrete responses to specific needs within the museums of Washington State. Sure, there will be some uplifting presentations to stir your soul and recharge your spiritual batteries, but the emphasis will be on tools and examples to use and modify back on the home turf. And, of course, come prepared to whine to those who understand, share the latest professional gossip, eat prodigiously in the "Fruit Bowl of the Nation," laugh, enjoy the sunshine, learn from the mistakes and successes of others, and be prepared to return to your museum with the fires of battle rekindled!

PROGRAM

Wednesday, June 11, 1997
All Roads Lead to Yakima, only 2:10 from downtown Seattle. Leave early, dawdle along the way, and plan to arrive in time for the following:

3:00­6:00 PM WMA Board Meeting Yakima Valley Museum Conference Room
Open to all WMA Members and Conference Registrants.

6:00­8:00 PM Opening Reception Yakima Valley Museum Centennial Hall
Come meet, greet, and mix. There will be enough treats and beverages (included in the registration fee) to make your early arrival worthwhileplus a cash bar.

8:00 PM­Whenever Dine on your own, relax, and/or find your hotel

All sessions will be held at the Yakima Valley Museum. When you register, we will show you the various assigned session locations.

Thursday, June 12, 1997

8:00 AM­5:00 PM Registration, Information, Membership

8:00 AM­9:00 AM Complimentary Continental Breakfast

9:00 AM­9:30 AM Welcome to Yakima & Introductions Centennial Hall
Patricia J. Warren, President, Washington Museum Association
John Baule, Director, Yakima Valley Museum
Bill Flower, Yakima County Commissioner & Generally Nice Guy

9:30 AM­10:15 AM Keynote Address I Centennial Hall
Cultural Tourism What We Can Expect From the Traveling Public
Robin Pollard, Director, Washington State Tourism Division

10:15 AM­10:45 AM BREAK

10:45 AM­11:45 AM Keynote Address II Centennial Hall
Museums in Tomorrow's World. David Mayo, Exhibit Designer, Fowler Museum of Cultural History, UCLA

12 NOON­1:00PM Conversations at Lunch Centennial Hall
Grab a box lunch (included in the registration fee), and head for the table with the placard that most appeals to you:

"The Museum, No Place for Children or Dogs" (Youth Museums)
"Build It and They Will Pass Right By" (Exhibits)
"Junkyard With An Attitude" (Collections)
"Brother, Can You Spare $500,000?" (Fund-Raising)
"Did you hear...?" (Museum Gossip)
"You Gave Us Your Money, What Else Do You Want?" (Visitor Services)
"Need A Hug?" (Staff Bonding)
"Lies and Propaganda" (Outreach)
"The Blind Leading Those Who Don't See Well" (Board/Staff Development)
"We Don't Get No Respect" (Museum Whining)

1:00 PM­1:45 PM General Session: The State of the State Centennial Hall
Up close and personal with our state legislators. They will speak about statewide issues the Legislature is grappling with in relation to arts, culture, and tourism. Learn how to affect their decisions and our future. Representative Mary Skinner Senator Alex Deccio

1:45 PM­2:00 PM BREAK

2:00 PM­3:15 PM Concurrent Sessions

1. Preparing Your Collection Records & Volunteers for Computers Conference Room
Even if computers are not yet even a glimmer in your museum's eye, you will have a chance to learn how to prepare for that day when happy silicon chip assemblies land in your office.
Laura Thayer, Curator of Collections, Cheney Cowles Museum Ann Troianello Curator of Collections, Yakima Valley Museum
Lisa Hill-Festa, Curator, Nordic Heritage Museum Christine Runte, Registrar, Museum of Flight

2. Finding Exhibit Topics Centennial Hall
It's time to mount a new exhibit, your storerooms are full of objects, and you are too frazzled to think clearly. Come learn a few techniqies to uncover good temporary exhibition topics
David Mayo, Exhibit Designer, Fowler Museum of Anthropology, UCLA Andy Granitto, Curator of Exhibits & Programs, Yakima Valley Museum

3. Educational Programs at Whatcom Children's Underground
The Whatcom Museum of History and Art has developed a number of new and popular programs for all ages in recent years. Get in on their secrets for success.
Bev Schrengohst, Operations Manager, Whatcom Museum Richard Vanderway, Education/Public Programs Coordinator, Whatcom Museum

3:15 PM­3:45 PM BREAK

3:45 PM­5:00 PM Concurrent Sessions

1. Computers & Collections - Digitizing Your Collection. Collections Office
Serious stuff about putting photographs or other printed material on to a computer disc.
Steve Fischer, Owner, A & B Enterprises, Yakima

2. Exhibit Mechanics ...featuring Tool Time! Centennial Hall
Effective low cost techniques to add sizzle to your exhibit Steve Anderson, Director, Renton Historical Museum
Leslie Cain, Freelance Preparator/Installation Specialist Andy Granitto, Curator of Exhibits & Programs, Yakima Valley Museum

3. Public Relations Conference Room
How to make the public both takenotice of your museum and make them happy while they are theremay be cheaper than you think!
William La Marche, Director of Development, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Wasco County Historical Society
Lee Musgrave, Special Projects Officer, Maryhill Museum of Art

4. Designing Exhibits for Early Childhood Children's Underground
How to make exhibits which are fun and educational for those tiny tots who show up en masse at the door.
David Lynx, Curator of Education, Yakima Valley Museum Sarah Moore, Kids' Works/Animal Care Supervisor, Pacific Science Center
6:00 PM­10:00 PM Evening Function Annual Awards Banquet in Centennial Hall

Join us for an extraordinary dinner by Santiago's Gourmet Restaurant and the announcement of the 1997 WMA Awards.
PLUS... After Hours Music, Mixing, & Mingling in the Museum Soda Fountain. By 8 PM, as the Museum Soda Fountain closes to the public, we will move in, spill onto the adjacent terrace, indulge in ice cream treats par excellance, and listen/dance to the music of the Pat Moss Band.

Friday, June 13

3. Museum Auxiliary Services Conference Room

The pressure is on to raise revenue through earned income. Get a taste of the pros and cons of running a gift shop, a food service operation, and a facilities rental program from those on the front lines.
Jean Dunlop, Operations Manager, Yakima Valley Museum 
Chris Murphy, Manager, Yakima Valley Museum Soda Fountain
Khay Norris, Manager, Yakima Valley Museum Shop 
Robert Gruhn, Attorney, Davis Wright Tremaine
3:00 PM EARLY DISMISSAL with suggestions on where to go for local sightseeing

5:00 PM­8:00 PM

Casual "Hors d'Oeuvres Supper" and Socializing at the home of Yakama Artist Leo Adams.
Come at any time to see the unique home and studio (featured in Architectural Digest and National Geographic) of one of the Northwest's most noted artists.

Saturday, June 14

8:30­4:00 PM Heritage Resource Center Workshop

Mercenary Museums: Developing New Revenue Streams and Staying Legal

As government funds become increasingly scarce, as competition for foundation grants gets tougher, and as more non-profits arrive on the scene, the cultural consumer has more places to spend his money. Museums, therefore, need to develop new sources of revenue. Every museum has a variety of untapped resourcesbesides the traditional ones such as museum storeswhich could be the proverbial "pot-of-gold." This workshop will offer specific examples on new ventures, provide implementation strategies, cite the benefits and note the pitfalls, and draw attention to any related ethical issues.
Registration Fee $40 WMA Member / $45 Non-Member
Jointly sponsored by the Heritage Resource Center, a division of the Washington State Historical Society, and the Washington Museum Association

About the Host Institution

The Yakima Valley Museum, a 55,000 ft² facility located in Yakima's Franklin Park, offers historical exhibits on the Yakima Valleyits natural history, American Indian culture, pioneer life, early city life, and the roots and development of the Valley's fruit industry. The museum also has a superb collection of horse-drawn vehicles, from stagecoach to hearse; a historical exhibit and reconstruction of the Washington D.C. office of former Yakima resident and environmentalist, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas; and a changing schedule of special exhibitions. Within the museum is the Children's Underground, a 2,500 ft² interactive learning center offering museum-related educational activities and programs for children ages 5 to 15. The Museum Soda Fountain is a functioning replica of a late 1930s Art Deco soda fountain. Furnished with salvaged and restored parts of authentic Yakima soda fountains, this piece of history serves Green Rivers, Root Beer Floats, Malts, assorted "phosphates," and other ice cream treats for visitors to the museum and Franklin Park. The museum also operates the nearby H. M. Gilbert Homeplace. Built in 1898, this late Victorian farmhouse is now filled with period furnishings.

Visit our website at: http://www.yakimavalleymuseum.org ...and get a preview!

PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO SEE

While in the Yakima Valley, you can also visit over 30 wineries, walk the Yakima Greenway, tour ToppenishCity of Murals, drive through the endless orchards or into the nearby Cascades, or visit some of the many museums and historical sites throughout the valley, including: Thorp Mill, Olmstead Place Heritage Site, Kittitas County Museum, Clymer Museum and Gallery, Children's Activity Museum, World Famous Fantastic Museum, Yakima Electric Railway Museum, Yakima Area Arboretum, Central Washington Agricultural Museum, Yakama Indian Nation Museum, Toppenish Museum, Yakima Rail and Steam Museum, American Hop Museum, Fort Simcoe Heritage Site, Sunnyside Museum, Ray E. Powell Museum, Benton County Historical Museum, Whoop-n-Holler Ranch Museum, Maryhill Museum of Art, Presby Museum, Gorge Heritage Museum, & the Washington's Fruit Place Visitor Center.
Plan now to spend several glorious, educational, and amusing days in

"The Palm Springs of Washington" (?!).