Dear FLAME members,

We are very excited to announce that the new Museum Enterprise Leadership (MEL) program has been launched. A partnership between the Institute for Learning Innovation and the University of Mary Washington, this 12 month certificate program was developed with FLAME input and specific goals in mind. Whether you aspire to a CEO position in the next 2-5 years, or simply wish to bring stronger business skills to your work as a leader in your organization, this program was designed with the specific strengths and challenges that Directors of Education in art museums face. The first cohort will begin in June of 2020, and MEL has assembled a faculty of current museum directors, MBA professors and others to engage with you online and at two in-person residencies. MEL has also identified an excellent executive coach to work on individual and organization-specific issues. The entire MEL program is based on a professional community of inquiry learning in an active and specific context. Participation in the program requires the support of your director, as attendance at finance committee and enlarged Board interaction is required.

For more details, please see the Museum Enterprise Leadership Program website or contact Judy Koke.

Best,

Stacey Shelnut-Hendrick, Lynn Russell & Anne Kraybill

The Forum for Leadership in Art Museum Education advances the public value and social impact of art museums by fostering leadership in art museum education.

FLAME was organized by a small group of Directors/Heads of Education who were interested in developing a strong network of support and mentorship, as well as opportunities for professional growth and inspiration. With support from the Kress Foundation, a convening was held with a larger group of Directors/Heads of Education to discuss the development of such an organization.

The vision for FLAME is to provide a long-term strategy for professional development, research, and advocacy for leaders in art museum education. We are currently working on an IMLS grant proposal for the following activities:

Develop a formal leadership program similar to other programs such as the Getty Leadership Institute, the Center for Curatorial Leadership, but specifically for Directors/Heads of Art Museum Education.
Provide funding to individuals/institutions that want to host professional development (for museum education leaders at multiple levels)
Provide funding to individuals/institutions that want to host convenings that explore relevant topics and produce recommendations for the field.
Give capacity to projects including research and benchmarking in the field.
Make a better website!

Dana Carlisle Kletchka, Assistant Professor of Art Museum Education in the Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy at The Ohio State University, has generously offered to be the grantee for this initiative. Housing this initiative at The Ohio State University will also give capacity to activities in collaboration with other colleges (school of business/leadership, graduate students, etc). We envision putting together an advisory team to help write and review the grant. Stay tuned to this website to learn more!