Before You Begin It is important to keep in mind as you progress through the steps in the Discussion Framework that this is a self-assessment process. Although you are likely to change or create plans at the end of the process, this is a time for examining, reflecting, delving into and understanding what you are currently doing and how that helps or hinders developing a closer relationship with your community. So don’t hurry the process. Whether you choose to work through the whole framework or parts of the framework, either in one session or multiple sessions, think of this as a time to take stock and re-energize the museum and the people in the museum. Equally as important is involving members of the community in your discussions, especially in Sections 3, 4 and 5. Consider inviting people in your community who you do not normally think of as stakeholders, in addition to those you would normally invite. Encourage people to participate based on their own experience and understanding, and not based on what they believe the museum’s position or perspective is on a particular area. The self-assessment questions of the Discussion Framework are grouped into five sections. In each section you are asked to critically think about a particular area of your museum’s operation: Section 1 – Museum’s Audiences and Community focuses on getting an understanding of the museum’s target audiences, the community in which the museum lives and its relationship to that community. Section 2 – Mandate and Planning asks questions about the museum’s mission within the community. Section 3 – Public Perception focuses on how the museum keeps in touch with the community and how the community responds to the museum. Section 4 – Public Involvement examines the museum’s interaction with the community through partnerships, volunteerism, staffing, board membership and financial planning. Section 5 – Public Experience is all about the community’s interactions with and responses to the museum through exhibitions, programming, research and services. The following example shows you how to work through the framework discussing the questions and applying critical thinking.
The Learning Coalition: Building Responsive Museums
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