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2007 Award Nomination Information & Instructions

CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS

I.  Award Purpose

The purpose of the Arkansas Museums Association awards program is to recognize and encourage outstanding work within the Arkansas museum community and to help focus public attention on our museums and on the AMA. The awards program is open to museum people and the institutions they are associated with, regardless of size.

II.  Award Categories

A.  Non-Paid Staff (Volunteer, Trustee, Friend of the Museum)

B.  Paid Staff

C.  Educational Program (awarded in two categories: children [under 18] and adult [18 and older])

NOTE:  The following are awarded in three categories relating to the museum’s annual budget: under $100K, $100 - $500K and over $500K .   Budget calculations should reflect the cost of operating the museum in the last fiscal year, including salaries, general operating support, utilities and grants.  If rent, utilities and/or maintenance are provided by an outside agency, include an estimate of their costs in the budget calculation.   

D.  Publication: May be awarded in three categories:

          a.  Newsletter

          b.  Exhibit catalogue or book

          c.  Other, including web-site, fund-raising brochure, etc.

E.  Exhibit

F.  Museum of the Year

III.  Nominations

A.  Nominations may be made in any or all of the above categories. A separate "Award Nomination Cover Sheet" must accompany each nomination.

B.  The individual making the nomination does not have to be an AMA member.

C.  Individuals nominated for unpaid or paid staff members do not have to be AMA members.  However, their institution must be an institutional member or have at least one staff member who is an AMA individual member.

D.  Institutions nominated for publication, exhibit and/or museum of the year MUST be institutional AMA members or have at least one staff member who is an AMA individual member.

E.  Individuals are encouraged to nominate their own institutions, staff, and volunteers.

F.  Individuals or institutions that won an award in the previous year are not eligible for nomination in that category in the current year. They are eligible for nomination in any or all other categories.

G.  The information requested below must be submitted with an "Award Nomination Cover Sheet" for the nomination to be considered by the Awards Committee  CLICK HERE FOR A COVER SHEET. For each nomination, the project narrative must not exceed 10 pages. Please maintain margins of at least one inch and a font size no smaller than 12.  

1.  For Non-Paid Staff and Paid Staff  

a. Give a description of the kind(s) of work performed by the nominated individual, indicating approximate number of hours for each type of work.

b. How many years has the nominee been involved with the museum and its activities?

c. How has the individual initiated, promoted, and/or supported programs or policies that enhance the services and image of the museum on the community, state, or national level?

d. Discuss activity in related organizations that may contribute to the success of the museum.

e. Discuss personal characteristics: responsibility, attention to work, willingness to cooperate, friendliness, ability to adjust to others and various work situations, etc.

2.  For Educational Program (both categories)

a.  Give a brief description of the program and its main objectives.  Describe this purpose within the context of the museum’s mission and collections.

b. Include your program budget and discuss funding sources.

c. Describe the program planning process and timeline. How were audience levels / needs evaluated and incorporated? How was research used to ensure the accuracy of the presentation? What other logistical concerns were involved? What outside resources were consulted during the planning process? 

d. Describe the implementation strategy. What methods were used and why were they selected?

e. Discuss your methods for evaluation. Was the program successful in meeting its objectives?

f. Please include at least two but no more than four of the following types of supplemental material in support of this nomination: photographs or slides (2-3); program activity sheets or other interpretive handouts; teacher’s guide; audience evaluations. (Please note: copies of web-based pages are allowed as supplemental material.)

3.  For Publications  (all categories)

a.  Affirm that the nominated institution’s annual budget falls in the nominated category.

b. List the title of the publication, the author, publication date and size of print run .

c.  State the museum’s mission.

d. Describe the purpose of the publication within the context of the museum's mission.

e.  What use, if any, was made of resources outside the museum?

f. How was the publication funded?

g.  How was the publication distributed?

h. Include a copy of the publication.

i.  Additional comments

Note:  To be eligible for consideration, the submission must have been published in 2006 or 2007.

4.  For Exhibits  (all budget categories)

a.  Affirm that the nominated institution’s annual budget falls in the nominated category.

b. List the title of the exhibit, the opening date and (if applicable) the closing date.

c.  State the museum’s mission.

d. Describe how the exhibit helped fulfill the museum's mission.

e.  What use, if any, was made of resources outside the museum?

f. How was the exhibit funded?

g.  Describe the exhibit planning process and timeline.  How were audience needs evaluated and incorporated? How was research used to ensure the accuracy of the presentation? What other logistical concerns were involved? What outside resources were consulted during the planning process? How were collections utilized?

h. Include at least two but no more than six photographs of the exhibit.

g.  Additional comments

Note:  To be eligible for consideration, the exhibit must have been available to the public in 2006 or 2007.

5.  For Museum of the Year  (all budget categories)

a.  Affirm that the nominated institution’s annual budget falls in the nominated category.

b. Give a brief description of the museum’s founding, including date and original mission. Has the museum’s mission and /or audience changed?

c. Describe the institution’s areas of progress over the last two years. Consider growth or improvement in the following areas: physical facilities, staffing, collections, exhibitions, and educational programs. Be sure to describe the resources available for these changes.

d. How has this improvement contributed to increases in visitation and membership?

e. Describe the institution’s financial stability, including a current operating budget and information regarding budget sources.

f. Please discuss any additional factors relevant to institutional progress.

IV. Completed Nominations

A.  Send four copies of the completed nomination, and supplemental material if applicable,  by Monday, February 11, 2008 (postmark date) to:

Steve Rucker

c/o AR NG Museum

North Little Rock, AR 72212-9600

  All nomination materials submitted become property of the AMA.

 B.  Honorable Mentions.  Committee members may choose to award honorable mentions, in any category, when they feel it is appropriate. This does not mean that all nominations will receive awards.

 C.  Award Recipients.  Award recipients, including honorable mentions, will be notified of their awards before the AMA annual meeting. Names of other nominees will not be released.

 D.  Questions.  Any questions regarding the award categories or nomination process should be directed to:  

Steve Rucker

c/o AR NG Museum

Camp Robinson

North Little Rock , AR 72199-9600

Phone: 501-212-5215

E-mail: steve.rucker@us.army.mil

 

 

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