Need | Rationale | Description | Results

It is readily acknowledged that opportunities for professional training are markedly lacking among America's small and rural museums. When IMLS investigated small museums' needs for Congress, they made the alarming discovery that few small museums have staff or volunteers trained properly in the basics of museum professionalism; many are even unfamiliar with elementary nonprofit management skills. Indeed, 75% of America's museums meet IMLS' definition of "small museum" and, of these, more than 87% cite an acute need for better museum training.

Likewise, it can be argued that a disproportionate share of culturally significant collections are housed in our nation's smallest and most rural museums. For instance, in Utah, many of the state's finest Native American and pioneer artifacts are found in museums serving communities of 5000 or fewer.

Increased funding for small museums is only part of the solution. The general health and well-being of these cultural institutions can only be improved with capable, well-trained individuals at the helm.

While training opportunities for small museums are lacking, more and more is expected of them -- to partner routinely with local schools, to expand their educational services, and to become high profile destinations as part of state and local cultural tourism efforts.

Yet despite inadequate funding, rising expectations, and rare opportunities for professional training, many small museums thrive. With unparalleled enthusiasm, they fill a unique niche in the educational and cultural lives of their towns and serve a meaningful purpose in conserving local heritage.

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