APPENDIX A

PROPOSED

FOUNDATION STATEMENTS FOR THE MARKHAM MUSEUM

1. Mission and Vision Statement

The enhanced Mission and Vision Statement for the revitalized Markham Museum is recommended as follows:

The Markham Museum and Historic Village honours Markham’s past and looks forward to its future. The Museum makes history relevant, accessible and enjoyable. It enriches the cultural life of our community by researching and preserving local history, and is a living place that is both fun and educational to visit. Its exhibitions, programs and archives reflect the experiences of all of Markham’s citizens, and involve them in its activities. The Museum will be a vital recreational as well as educational resource for residents and an exciting attraction not to be missed by our visitors.

2. Mandate

Based on the Concept outlined in the Master Plan, the recommended mandate is as follows:

· The Markham Museum studies and collects the documentary and material heritage of the geographical area now known as the Town of Markham from earliest times to the present.

· The Markham Museum takes an interdisciplinary approach to its subject matter, with exhibitions and programs that include archaeology, history and science.

· The Museum presents exhibitions and programs reflecting the experiences of all its citizens, from the earliest humans to make this area their home to the most recent arrivals. Its archival resources similarly offer the potential for research into the heritage of all Town residents.

3. Statement of Purpose

The recommended statement of purpose is as follows:

The purpose of the Markham Museum and Historic Village is to collect, document, preserve, study, display and interpret to residents and their visitors the archival and material heritage of what is today the Town of Markham from the earliest evidence of human occupation to the present, including the contributions to the life of the Town by the diverse range of Markham’s historic and present population.

4. Museum Value Statements

The Town of Markham is a value driven organization. The series of statements defining the Museum’s commitments as an institution have been developed to support and complement the overarching Town of Markham Corporate goals.

In addition the commitments listed below are consistent with the role of the Museum in the community as envisioned by its founders and supported by its stakeholders over the 36 years the Museum has been providing service to the community.

Commitment to Youth

It has been observed by many Museum Professionals, that Museum connoisseurship begins at an early age. Getting the most from any Museum experience is in great measure contingent on how engaged and comfortable one is in the Museum.

In addition the Museum in conjunction with its partners will develop opportunities for education, internship and employment. The Museum is able to provide a supportive, flexible work and educational environment. Also important is this Museum’s commitment to the development of advanced information technologies for processing and communication of a broad range of historical and scientific data and to train the young workers who are and will be needed to develop and maintain these systems. In this way the Museum will contribute to addressing the pressing Regional need for new knowledge workers.

Commitment to the Museum’s Public Trust Responsibility

The Museum is committed to seeking the means and developing the capability to preserve and fully document the collections of cultural property and scientific specimens it receives. Further, the Museum will ensure that it collects appropriately with intent such that the cultural property and scientific specimens it holds are meaningful to the largest most diverse audience possible.

Commitment to Increasing Respect for Our Natural Environment

The Museum through its public and non-public programs is committed to increasing respect and appreciation of the natural setting of the Town of Markham. The Museum will examine and raise awareness of the unique characteristics of the surrounding environment.

Commitment to Institutional Self Sufficiency

The Museum will pursue revenue-generating initiatives, which are diversified and supportive of its stated purposes. The Museum will place particular emphasis on the development of the means and facilities to generate increased revenues from operations.

Commitment to Fostering Collective Community Identity and Civic Engagement

The Museum should be a community forum where important local concerns can be discussed. A Museum is the only community institution which is dedicated to the comprehensive study and understanding of the historical context of local issues. This Museum should become a powerful contributor to a sense of community pride in its accomplishments, consensus building and ultimately effective community development.

Commitment to Economic Development

The Museum has provided the community with a range of public services, which by their nature are symbolic of the growing sophistication of this region’s citizens. The Museum is currently a low profile but valued institution that is not well known outside of Markham. The experiences of other community museums indicate that with significant strategically planned upgrading will produce the positive ‘word of mouth’ recommendations that keep audiences growing. In addition a good quality Museum facility sends a powerful message of collective self-confidence to prospective new residents and business. A good Museum and Science Centre dramatically demonstrates the community’s commitment to providing high quality facilities for community development and life long learning opportunities.

Commitment to Life Long Enjoyment of Museum Experiences

This Museum is committed to providing the best quality visitor services within its means and making certain that its resources and services are widely accessible. If it is successful the Museum can contribute to the development of a lifetime of learning and enjoyment.

Commitment to Inclusiveness, Fairness and Intercultural Respect

The Board and Staff of the Museum will do all things necessary to ensure that the Museum represents all cultures resident in Markham, their histories, cultures and interests in a balanced and respectful manner as its resources make possible. Partnerships will be actively pursued with organizations to ensure that their interests are fully and appropriately represented.

Commitment to Creating an Organizational Cultural Based on Excellence in Museum Services

In order for the Museum to adequately fulfill its commitments to the community it must continue to strive for excellence. Excellence in Museum services comprises high standards of practice in Collections, Management, Research, Educational Programs, Exhibits, Physical Plant, Visitor Services, and Marketing Services. Beyond basic attributes of excellence are the characteristics of truly high performance Museum Organization, They are:

* A clear and shared understanding of the real purposes of the organization and a common vision for the Museum’s future including board members, volunteers, staff, and project contractors.

* An orientation to the thoughts, impressions and opinions of the Museum’s varied customers rather than an internal focus driven by authority, hierarchy, and administrative or curatorial process.

* A high level of individual control and responsibility for results and a commitment to accountability in a supportive work environment. The Museum organization encourages candour and is committed to the constant improvement and development of its programs and activities by first developing and improving its human resources.

* Realistic estimates for the human, financial, and physical resources necessary to achieve the expected outcomes.

* Site and facilities planning should be fully integrated with ongoing institutional programs and activities planning

* Partnerships which broaden the Museum’s base of support in the community.

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