Information Center

Customized research assistance and a collection of over 1,000 documents of sample policies, plans and forms from museums of all types and sizes.


The Bookstore

The most informative and authoritative professional literature on every aspect of museum operations. 


Continuum of Excellence

Learn about steps you can take toward excellence.


Mission and Institutional Planning

Business Planning

This section discusses the elements of a business plan and the process of developing one.

Change Management

This section addresses organizational change and transitions and has information about closing permanently, life cycles and mergers

Community Engagement

This section has resources to help museums consider different aspects of community engagement and collaboration.

Information Technology

This section has resources on communications equipment, data backup, hardware, Internet access, museum websites, networks, online privacy and security, software and technology planning

Institutional Performance Measures and Indicators

This section provides information about evaluating organizational performance, benchmarking and dashboards.

Institutional Planning

This section provides information about different planning models, institutional assessments, strategic plans, annual operating plans and capacity building.

Mission and Vision

This section offers resources to help a museum articulate these guiding statements.

Project Management

This section has information about planning, scheduling, managing and evaluating projects.

Starting a Museum

This section addresses the legal, tax and organizational issues to consider before forming a new museum.