Final Call for MAP Applications

Applications to the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) must be postmarked by Feb. 15 in order to be considered. For applications, visit the MAP homepage, or contact 202/289-9118 or map@aam-us.org.

Federally Funded Museums May Participate in MAP

Following a recommendation by the MAP Advisory Committee, AAM has decided to make federally funded museums eligible to take part in the program through flexible participation. Flexible participation is for museums that want to participate outside of the annual deadline funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), either because they do not want to wait for the deadline or, as in the case of federally funded museums, they are not eligible to participate through these funds. Federal museums interested in participating in MAP through this process or seeking more information may contact 202/289-9118 or map@aam-us.org.  

The committee also recommended that AAM research ways to simplify participation in the assessment program. One suggestion is to create a system in which museums regularly participating in MAP can streamline this process by having their information stored. Over the next few months, MAP staff will gather more information about this and other recommendations by the committee, including researching the concept of "mini MAPs" or "focused reviews." These would target museums that have recently participated in an assessment and would like to review a specific area of operations and small, all-volunteer organizations that may not have the capacity to do a full self-study.

The MAP Advisory Committee provides guidance to AAM to assist MAP in meeting the needs and interests of those the program is intended to serve, specifically MAP participants and peer reviewers. Members of the 2006–2008 MAP Advisory Committee are:

• Ann Fortescue (chair), director of education and visitor services, Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, Pittsburgh
• Sven Haakanson, executive director, Alutiiq Museum and Archeological Repository, Kodiak, Alaska
• Bruce Katsiff, director, James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, Pa.
• Kelli Pickard, director, Log Cabin Village, Fort Worth, Tex.
• Scott Swank, executive drector, Heritage Museums and Gardens, Sandwich, Mass.

MAP welcomes comments from the field. Please direct feedback to Jeff Buchheit, MAP assistant director, at jbuchheit@aam-us.org or 202/289-9119.