Working with Southern Utah University's Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research, and Contracts Office (SPARC), I helped facilitate the application and implementation of the Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program in 2018. This included a two-day site visit and report later used for fundraising. The report helped us raise more than $100,000 for art racks, as well as a multiple grants through the National Endowment for the Humanities for rehousing collections.
In 2019, I led an ad hoc committee in drafting the museum's first strategic plan. This committee included staff members, board members, and faculty members from the SUU Department of Art & Design. The five-year plan also provided an opportunity for the museum to revise its vision statement and create a set of core values. The plan mimics several aspects of the university's strategic plan to provide further evidence of the museum's parent organization.
One of the goals of the strategic plan is to position the museum for accreditation by the end of FY24. In 2020, I oversaw the implementation of the museum's participation in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP), offered through the American Alliance of Museums. This full report was received in 2021 and offered insights about the museum's current organizational structure with suggestions for change and growth.
In 2018, I worked with SUU Facilities Management and MHTN Architects to redesign the Stillman Sculpture Court, which transformed the garden into a welcoming space for contemplation and engagement. Since identifying a strategic objective to acquire new sculpture for the Stillman Sculpture Court that brings an encyclopedic approach, I prioritized funding needed to acquire an Allan Houser. This work was one of four works acquired and installed since June 2021. Other artists included David Phelps, Nnamdi Okonkwo, and Lorri Acott.
Nnamdi Okonkwo
