A Museum Without Walls

As the Virginia Museum of Natural History Foundation Board worked with the Board of Trustees and museum staff to develop this vision plan, it quickly became apparent that the key to the museums perpetual success will be through continued cooperation and partnerships with individuals, corporations and organizations across the Commonwealth and beyond. As the museum expands its programs and exhibits, the VMNH Foundation Board will work with museum staff to develop relationships that will result in new opportunities for collaboration and growth. From traveling exhibits and outreach education programs, to groundbreaking scientific research and important collections, the museums programs can only be accomplished through public and private partnerships that provide mutual benefits to both the museum and its partners. With continued support from partners statewide the museum and its many programs will succeed and grow in the coming years.

Dr. Denise UnterbrinkPresident, VMNH Foundation Board

In 1985, as Dr. Noel Boaz and his team of dedicated volunteers prepared to open the doors of the Virginia Museum of Natural History, it was big thinking that inspired belief that such an ambitious endeavor would succeed. When a state-of-the-art $25 million VMNH facility opened to record crowds 22 years later, the institution made a monumental leap forward in its short but illustrious

history. Now, the museum is poised to take another bold step in its mission to serve the citizens of the

Commonwealth and beyond. For the past year, the Board of Trustees has worked in concert with the staff to develop goals to move the museum forward. The museums vision for the next two years is

ambitious in its aspirations and efficient in maximizing resources. As Virginias only

collections-based science museum, VMNH has achieved national recognition for its award-winning exhibits, exceptional scientific research, and standards-based educational programs. With innovative outreach initiatives, rich online resources, and high quality traveling exhibits, VMNH is now poised to become A Museum Without Walls.

Sammy ReddChairman, VMNH Board of Trustees

Messages from VMNH Leadership

VMNH Mission: To interpret Virginias natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all citizens of the Commonwealth.

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n VMNH is accredited by the American Association of Museums, a distinction earned by fewer than 5% of museums across the U.S.

n Over 30,000 individuals visit the museum annually, with another 150,000 reached through outreach programs, online resources, and off-site displays and exhibits.

n The museum partners with more than 70 universities, organizations, schools, agencies, and museums across Virginia, the United States, and the world.

n VMNH has a significant local economic impact, employing 62 people, purchasing over $450,000 in goods and services annually, and attracting more than 15,000 non-local visitors yearly.

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Goals:

1.1 To develop the collections based on the areas of greatest need.

We will survey existing collections of natural objects in Virginia to determine what gaps exist in the catalog of the Commonwealths natural resources. The museum will expand its collections based on areas of greatest need, preserving a more complete array of specimens and artifacts for generations to come.

1.2 To increase the quantity of materials prepared for research.

The museum will hire a qualified technical

research assistant to provide support for our curators. This person will conduct important preparatory collections work

across disciplines, allowing curators to invest more time in data

acquisition and interpretation. Proper training will be provided in specimen preparation and analysis, such as scanning electron microscopy techniques.

1.3 To expand the museums publication program.

The museum will contribute to the scientific literature by producing memoirs, guidebooks, special publications, and the museums journal Jeffersoniana.

With an inventory of more than 20 million specimens and artifacts, the Virginia Museum of Natural History is the only collections-based science museum in Virginia. Our curatorial staff and research associates use these natural objects to develop new information for their disciplines. Geology, paleontology, biology, and archaeology are our fields, and our collections are treasures of the Commonwealth that we hold in perpetuity.

AccomplishingInnovative Science

Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science. Edwin Powell Hubble

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The museums statewide, collections-based education and outreach programs engage thousands of teachers and students each year. Our programs encourage learners of all ages to see the natural world through the lens of specimens and artifacts discovered in Virginia. We bring students to the museum, engage them in their classrooms, and reach them with technology to inspire them with Virginias science specimens and artifacts.

Inspiring Learners of All Ages

n When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe

John Muir

Goals:

2.1 To increase professional development opportunities for teachers.

Quality science education is critically important to the nations ability to succeed in the global economy. Preparing teachers to provide effective instruction will produce students who are competitive in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math, and health. Museum staff will offer teacher professional development programs statewide and provide science educators intellectual tools and effective instructional materials.

2.2 To increase the number of education programs offered statewide.

Our education programs serve Virginians far beyond the walls of

the museum. With educators located in Southern, Central, and Eastern Virginia, we are well positioned to increase delivery of quality programs to

classrooms statewide.

2.3 To increase collaboration with teacher education departments in

Virginia colleges and universities.

Collaborating with colleges and universities will promote partnerships that leverage resources and engage new audiences.

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Viewing and interacting with natural objects engages museum visitors and brings science to life. A visit to the museums galleries or one of our off-site exhibits evokes wonder and inspiration. Outreach, online resources, and satellite exhibits make the Virginia Museum of Natural History a museum without walls.

Interpreting VirginiasNatural Heritage

Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Goals:

3.1 To establish a traveling exhibits program.

Traveling exhibits expose visitors to other museums to the work of the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Sharing the museums specimens, artifacts, and educational materials with other institutions will increase revenue and reach a larger, more diverse audience.

3.2 To enhance the museums online presence.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History is best experienced in person, but a trip to our

galleries is not always possible. Developing a high quality interactive web site, robust social networking, and rich online

multimedia will provide worldwide virtual access to the museums

exhibits and collections.

3.3 To increase the number of off-site exhibits.

Off-site displays at visitor centers, state parks, and other

locations across the Commonwealth engage large

audiences far beyond the museums walls. We will develop relationships statewide to increase the number of satellite exhibits.

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The Virginia Museum of Natural History is a premier scientific institution, mounting award-winning exhibits, engaging in cutting-edge research, caring for extensive collections, and delivering innovative educational programs. Continuation of this kind of excellence requires sound management with a focus on accountability, performance, and growth.

Managing and Augmenting Resources

Adapt or perish, now as ever, is natures inexorable imperative. H. G. Wells

Goals:

4.1 To attract and retain the finest staff by making the museum a desirable place to work.

The museums success depends on a quality, engaged, and motivated staff. The museum will be a well-managed workplace that is collaborative in spirit and provides opportunities for employees to develop professionally and personally.

4.2 To increase visibility and public understanding of our mission.

The museums legacy is in its collections, research contributions, and a public educated

in the sciences. Many Virginians are unaware of the breadth and depth of these contributions. Marketing, promotion, and

partnerships will encourage museum visitation, outreach, and support.

4.3 To deploy and maintain technology to support thework of staff and facilitate public engagement.

A robust technology infrastructure is key to the

museums mission. We will increase the publics ability to engage in our on-and

off-site exhibits and activities. Adopting new technology while maintaining existing infrastructure is fundamental to the museums ability to fulfill its mission.

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As the Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, and staff worked together to develop the contents of this document, many excitingdiscussions about what we can achieve together came to the forefront. It is clear that passion underlies the advancement of our mission articulated on page one of this document.

Look closely at the words and phrases we used: StatewideIntellectual toolsTraveling exhibitsProfessional developmentVirtual accessCutting-edge researchPublications This is the language of ambition, and the language of relevance. The common factor in our discussions is that we are ambitious and we will achieve our mission while being accessible to all 8 million citizens of the Commonwealth. And we are relevant. We improve science education, inspire children and adults to engage in the natural world, help develop policy in natural resources usage, improve quality of life, and use the millions of specimens and artifacts in our collections as the foundation of all we do. Together we will reach all citizens and together we will improve science literacy as the Museum Without Walls. The steps outlined in this document are critical for the future of science education. For some steps, staff and volunteer time will be the investment. For others, we will need capital in the form of continued state support and grant dollars, and most importantly financial commitment from individuals like you who share in our passion for the natural world. Whether it is modernizing our web site, displaying our specimens at a remote location, or holding teacher professional development workshops, your participation is critical. Working with us, you will provide an essential mechanism to achieve ambitious goals and keep VMNH relevant in the pursuit of scientific understanding and literacy. Joe B. Keiper, Ph.D.VMNH Executive Director

Our two-year vision:A synthesis

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. Aristotle

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Sammy Redd, Chair, Martinsville

Missy Neff-Gould, Vice Chair, Richmond

James Severt III, Treasurer, Washington DC

Christina Draper, Secretary, Richmond

Pamela A. Armstrong, Martinsville

Dr. LeAnn S. Binger, Petersburg

Dr. Mark A. Crabtree, Martinsville

Christina S. Draper, Richmond

Nancy R. Fitzgerald, Huddleston

Paul Fleisher, Richmond

Dr. Oliver S. Flint, Jr., Alexandria

Conover Hunt, Hampton

Dr. Mervyn R. King, Martinsville

Lee A. Lester, Martinsville

Monica T. Monday, Martinsville

Dr. J. James Murray, Jr., Charlottesville

Kimble Reynolds, Jr., Martinsville

Janet Scheid, Vinton

Dr. Philip M. Sprinkle, Martinsville

Stephen D. Walker, Charlotte Courthouse

Lisa Lyle Wu, Arlington

Dr. Denise Unterbrink, President, Martinsville

Clay Gravely, Vice President, Martinsville

Manly Boyd, Treasurer, Martinsville

J. Smith Chaney, Secretary, Martinsville

Gayle F. Barts, Sutherlin

Kelly Cain, Martinsville

James Farrell, Martinsville

Lisa Fultz, Martinsville

Barry Jarrett, Martinsville

Bradley T. Johnson, Martinsville

Dr. David Jones, Martinsville

Richard Lawhon, Martinsville

Judith Matthews, Martinsville

William Morris, Union Hall

Jeffrey Perkins, Roanoke

Skip Phillips, Martinsville

Stacey Reed, Richmond

John Ross, Abingdon

Larry Ryder, Martinsville

Gail D. Smith, Belville NC

Forrest Truitt, Martinsville

Meredith Vaughn, Martinsville

Kris Willard, Penhook

Dr. Paul Winistorfer, Blacksburg

Ellen Wood, Martinsville The VMNH Foundation Discovery Fund

Would you like to partner in the education of our next school group, or assist the next artifact discovery at a dig site? With an investment in the VMNH Foundation Discovery Fund, your dollars will help us achieve our mission. These dollars go towards science projects, educational programs, the next exhibit, and other activities that allow us to interpret Virginias natural heritage and strengthen science literacy across the Commonwealth.

Board ofTrustees July 2012

Foundation Boardof Directors July 2012

21 Starling Avenue Martinsville, VA 276.634.4141 www.vmnh.net