Really? No manager? That’s one story. Now, no museum director? Are we trying to save money or resign the museum to a slow decline?
I don’t think the museum board looked at the whole picture. Under this director’s tenure, the museum has new educational displays, is digitizing the collection, has brought in Smithsonian shows, and provides great programs to locals and tourists alike, including children’s programs and a locals’ art show venue.
Financial decisions during this time of budget cuts are difficult. However, without Helen Alten’s efforts, the museum board is likely to find themselves worse off in the next budget cycle. Who is going to raise $96,000 in grants? The board? Who has the museum credentials and grant knowledge to bring in that kind of money? The board?
The $96,000 is enough to at least pay her to finish current projects and make sure the museum gets reaccreditation, which is likely necessary to garner any further grants.
I don’t think the board will put in the overtime that Helen did. In winters, the museum has provided a location for an evening portrait/figure drawing group that I host. Participants ranged from teenage to 80-something. I scheduled the hours hoping that Helen might find time after work to join us before she goes home to care for her family. But almost every week, she was too busy working overtime, trying to meet a grant deadline.
Maybe the board can hire a consultant or come in themselves to write those grant applications.
Donna Catotti