Upstate News
e-newsletter of the Upstate History
Alliance
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Join Us
Since 1971, the Upstate History Alliance
has been connecting people in museums and historical organizations across NY - providing a full range of training,
networking, and collaborative project programs to support New York's museum field.
It
is our vision to be a model service organization, the accomplishments
of which are reflected in the success of our constituents. We invite you to take this opportunity to join your colleagues - www.upstatehistory.org |
Donate to the
UHA Silent Auction
Showcase your organization to the largest gathering of
museum professionals in New York. Donate a gift of
merchandise to the UHA Silent Auction held during the Museums in
Conversation conference |
UHA is supported in part by
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A Note from the Director
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 Happy New Year from UHA! 2010 is dawning with a glimmer of promise with renewed funding for Grants for Museum Advancement and a new opportunity the Get Set (plus)! grant. Accompanying the good will be continued challenges of further budget cuts from Albany and continued economic uncertainty. As an eternal optimist, we've resolved to strive to reveal the silver lining, to utilize our social networking platforms and workshop opportunities to feature innovative programs and strategies which transform challenges into progress.
On that note of dismantling barriers, we have been preparing for a VERY exciting change here at UHA which will mark a progressive stride into this next decade - be sure to be in attendance at the Opening Reception of our Museums in Conversation conference on Sunday, April 11th for the big announcement!
Museums in Conversation returns to Albany this spring, this is an ideal time to be gathering our voices in Albany. I hope you will consider joining us as we assemble colleagues from museums across New York to discuss ideas and strategies towards taking a collective step forward in creating a sustainable model for New York's museums. Interested in attending but facing an ever tightening budget? Be sure to read on for ways to save at this year's conference.
We look forward to seeing you in April, in the meantime please be in touch with
your questions, challenges, ideas and inspirations or to involve us in celebrating your successes.
Best regards for a prosperous 2010,
~Catherine Gilbert |
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Get into the Conversation...
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Registration is now OPEN
for the 2010 Museums in Conversation conference
Start the conversation early by sharing your thoughts on your blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitter.
Keynote Speakers
The 2010 conference is all about what inspires you about museums and our keynote
speakers know inspiration well. UHA and conference partner the Museum
Association of New York are pleased to announce that the new President and CEO
of the Brooklyn Children's Museum, Georgina Ngozi, will give the opening keynote and WAMC Northeast Public Radio
President Alan Chartock
will present the closing keynote at the 2010 conference!
 Ways to Save
Go! grants provide museum staff members, volunteers and trustees the opportunity
to expand their horizons through the support of travel to professional
conferences and workshops such as Museums in Conversation. Registration
fees, travel fees and lodging costs up to $750 can all be supported
through a Go! grant. Applications to attend Museums in Conversation must be postmarked by March 12, 2010.
Share your favorite museum conversation
and have a chance to Win a FREE Registration
from Linda Norris at Riverhill partners! Submission deadline is February 10, 2010.
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| 2010 Museum Institute at Sagamore |
 Get Connected,
Share your wisdom,
Be Inspired!
The 2010 Museum Institute at Sagamore will focus on Vision, Mission, Money.
The Institute is a reflective, intensive, four day retreat at Great Camp Sagamore in the Adirondacks that gives New York State museum
professionals the opportunity to learn, reflect, and work with their
colleagues from across the state.
The 2010 Institute will take place September 21-24, 2010. Acceptance to the Institute is by application only - applications will become available in early summer. Sagamore Dinner
If you are curious about
the 'Sagamore' experience or if you have attended a previous Institute we invite
you to join us fireside at the Olde Shaker Inn for an informal dinner following the Opening Reception of the
Museums in Conversation conference on April 11th. Come to catch up with old
friends or to learn more about this unique professional development opportunity.
Additional information on the event is listed on the Conference website. |
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Show your support
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The
Upstate History Alliance has been a steadfast partner with New York's
museum community striving to fulfill the following sentiment from our
2009-2011 Strategic Plan:
Now
more than ever it is imperative for UHA to be the conduit for the
sharing of ideas and innovative strategies that will make it possible
for constituents to survive and even thrive within these conditions.
UHA's leadership will ensure that New York's museums have access to the
most cutting edge and successful practices...The board and staff of UHA
are in universal agreement that we must continue to provide solutions,
ideas and leadership that will guide museums within New York in the
fulfillment of their missions and assist them in strengthening their
vitality in, and of, their communities.
Evidence of this commitment may be found in our: - Expanded
capability to connect with you to supply resources, answer questions
and connect you to a network of professional colleagues - Are you one
of our 160+ Facebook fans?
- Re-visioned
annual conference - now Museums in Conversation - which drew museum
professionals from across the state to Tarrytown to generate a new
energy through active discussion
- Receipt of an American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Grant Award
- Advanced strategic partnerships with National, State and Regional museum service organizations
- Earning
an IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf Award which expanded our
Lending Library's holdings of Collections Care and Management
publications
- Awarding 25 Get Set! and 14 Get Ready! grants to facilitate strategic planning and implementation
- Awarding 72 Go! grants, for a total of over $37,000 towards professional development
This 2009 proved to be a year of growth and stability for UHA. The
combination of a strong strategic plan, careful fiscal management, and
a dedicated board and staff provide the sound basis upon which we strengthen our membership.
Like
all cultural institutions in New York, UHA has experienced reductions
in its state funding but we are committed to continuing the same level
of services. As you consider your year-end giving, please take a
moment to make a contribution to help continue the good work of UHA.
You may submit your contribution via check to our address at 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta, NY 13820 or here online.
With best wishes for a prosperous New Year,
Catherine Gilbert, Executive Director
P.S. Please be as generous as possible to ensure that UHA continues to thrive |
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Museum Security
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In light of the recent news and discussion
on thefts at museums and historical societies in NY we thought this might be an
opportunity to share some museum security resources and start a discussion on
how we can best protect our collections. Contact us for a list of resources we compiled from the American Association of Museums and a list of advice for small local history museums provided by the Minnesota Historical
Society. Surely a first step in addressing security at your institution should include establishing a security plan and procedures to mitigate risk and expedite response. This planning stems from your collections care and management plan, including proper documentation of your collections as well as a structural assessment conducted with your local police and fire personnel.
What are your best prevention
resources? Please share them with us. Do you train your volunteers
on security issues? What are you own procedures?
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Capital District Underground Railroad Workshop - Register today
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Presents
Hosted by Russell Sage College, Troy, NY
Organized by Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region,
Inc.
In Collaboration with Rensselaer County Historical Society
Workshop information and registration may be found on their website
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Enroll Today - UHA Online Courses
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If you are seeking affordable, practical
training in Collections Care and Preservation, consider participating
in one of our online courses.
These courses provide basic,
practical training at a low cost (starting at just $45!) Courses are designed
for staff, trustees and volunteers at small to mid-sized museums. They're
designed to be taken at your own pace with assignments based on your own
collections, and offer interaction with skillful
instructors.
The following courses will be
offered starting February 2010:
Introduction to
Reformatting
Climate Control for Small
Institutions
Basic Preservation and Care of Paper
Based Materials
Conservation and Preservation of
Photographs and Albums
Collections Management 101
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Advisory: Joint Committee Meeting on Arts Day 2010
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Senator Jose M Serrano and and Assemblyman Steve Englebright Announce Joint Meeting to Discuss Cuts to New
York State Council on the Arts, Parks, Tourism, and Living Museums
Click here for additional information
WHAT:
Joint meeting to discuss
potential budget cuts to the Arts, Parks, Tourism, and Living
Museums.
WHO:
-Senator José M.
Serrano (Chairman, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and
Recreation)
-Assemblyman Steve Englebright (Chairman, Tourism, Parks, Arts,
and Sports Development)
WHEN:
February 24, 2010, 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM
WHERE:
Legislative Office Building
2nd
Floor, Hearing Room A
Albany, New York
(Albany, NY)- After the devastating cuts to Arts, Parks, Living Museums, and
Tourism in Governor David A. Paterson's proposed budget, Senator José M. Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx) and Assemblyman
Steve Englebright (D- Setauket) are urging advocates to voice their concerns
during a Joint Committee meeting on Arts Day 2010.
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New York State Cultural Data Project
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The New York State Cultural Data Project (New York State CDP)
is a powerful online management tool designed to strengthen arts and
cultural organizations. Arts and cultural organizations enter
financial, programmatic and operational data into a standardized online
form and can then use the CDP to produce a variety of reports designed
to help increase management capacity, identify strengths and challenges
and inform decision-making. They can also generate reports to
be included as part of the application processes to participating
grantmakers.
Get the most from the New York State CDP - Attend a free demonstration and discussion
In these 90-minute demonstration and discussion sessions we
will give you an overview of the New York State CDP and everything you need to
get started using it. Join a demonstration and discussion from your home or
office. Attend a training ONLINE via webinar!
WEBINAR
February 2, 2010
2:00 - 3:30 pm
WEBINAR
February 10, 2010
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Just a reminder, in FY 2011, NYSCA
will begin accepting CDP Funder Reports as a part of the application
process. In FY 2012 (calendar year 2011), NYSCA will require
all applicants to submit CDP Funder Reports.
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Save $50 - Traveling Exhibit Discount
Enliven your space with an exhibit from UHA - receive a $50 discount on an 8-week loan on either "Respect
for Diversity: Valuing our Museums, Libraries and the Communities they
Create" or "Why Archives Matter" traveling exhibition. Visit the UHA website www.upstatehistory.org for details on both exhibitions. Contact Stephanie Lehner, Program Coordinator at 800-895-1648 or Stephanie@upstatehistory.org for more information.
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Mention this advertisement to take advantage of this offer
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Catherine Gilbert, Executive Director
Upstate History Alliance
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