Registration Fee (bring your own lunch): $35 NEMA members / $45 non-members
All staff from member museums are eligible for the member rate.
Not sure if your museum is a member? Just call NEMA, 781-641-0013, to find out.
Join colleagues for a day exploring the art of evaluation. The evaluation process is critical to defining the success of programs, exhibitions and the overall visitor experience. Without clearly defined evaluation tools, granting organizations are reluctant to fund projects. But what is the best method for your project or your site? How do you develop a successful plan? How much evaluation is needed before an assessment of success can be made? Can it be done in-house or do you need to bring in outside help? These questions and more will be addressed by our speakers as we evaluate the evaluation process.
9:45 am Welcome
10:00 am Keynote Session
Marilyn Weiss Cruickshank, Education Consultant, MA
As keynote speaker, Ms. Cruickshank will provide an overview of the current practices and expectations in the world of evaluation. She will also discuss why we evaluate and provide examples of different methods for conducting successful evaluations.
11:15 am Panel
Susie Wilkening, Reach Advisors, MA
Ms. Wilkening will describe her current nationwide collaborative evaluation project working with thirteen outdoor history museums, many of which are in the northeast, to analyze current audiences. She will discuss the process and goals of the project and share some of the fascinating results.
Museum of Science, Boston, staff member, to be confirmed
A member of an in-house evaluation team will provide insight to the ongoing evaluation processes the Museum of Science conducts. In particular strategies for developing evaluative tools to ensure that programs are meeting the goals of universal design will be discussed.
Ron M. Potvin, Assistant Director & Curator, John Nicholas Brown Center, Brown University, RI
Mr. Potvin will discuss the benefits and challenges of using web based technologies for evaluation. He will share his experiences with using Survey Monkey as a part of a formative evaluation about museum professional training and education.
12:30 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Breakout Sessions
The afternoon will allow participants and speakers to get together for informal mini-workshops about specific evaluation processes and methodologies. Bring your questions and ideas to the tables and receive feedback from colleagues on how you can make the most of your evaluations.
3:00 pm Wrap Up
9:45 am Welcome
10:00 am Keynote Session
Marilyn Weiss Cruickshank, Education Consultant, MA
As keynote speaker, Ms. Cruickshank will provide an overview of the current practices and expectations in the world of evaluation. She will also discuss why we evaluate and provide examples of different methods for conducting successful evaluations.
11:15 am Panel
Susie Wilkening, Reach Advisors, MA
Ms. Wilkening will describe her current nationwide collaborative evaluation project working with thirteen outdoor history museums, many of which are in the northeast, to analyze current audiences. She will discuss the process and goals of the project and share some of the fascinating results.
Museum of Science, Boston, staff member, to be confirmed
A member of an in-house evaluation team will provide insight to the ongoing evaluation processes the Museum of Science conducts. In particular strategies for developing evaluative tools to ensure that programs are meeting the goals of universal design will be discussed.
Ron M. Potvin, Assistant Director & Curator, John Nicholas Brown Center, Brown University, RI
Mr. Potvin will discuss the benefits and challenges of using web based technologies for evaluation. He will share his experiences with using Survey Monkey as a part of a formative evaluation about museum professional training and education.
12:30 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Breakout Sessions
The afternoon will allow participants and speakers to get together for informal mini-workshops about specific evaluation processes and methodologies. Bring your questions and ideas to the tables and receive feedback from colleagues on how you can make the most of your evaluations.
3:00 pm Wrap Up
Directions to Old Sturbridge Village will be mailed with your registration confirmation.
Questions? Call NEMA,781-641-0013.