Operating Support

To protect, preserve, document, display, and effectively steward the cultural properties, documentary archive, and works of artistic and cultural value in the Museum’s collection. Outcomes: more objects and intellectual property are documented and made accessible through collections database and appropriate storage furniture, and increased space is provided for collections. 1,082 works on paper were re-housed; 580 photo-documented and archived.  3,760 objects documented, photographed and cataloged to date. 61 purchases of art work were made, including Minnesota regional and contemporary Native American artists. 91 artworks were donated by 14 donors. The Encoded exhibit featured 18 objects by 5 Native artists; 43 objects from the collection, and was curated by guest curator John Hitchcock. The Labovitz portraits exhibit featured 17 objects. The Museum loaned object from the permanent collection to: Minnesota Museum of American Art for a traveling exhibit to five sites; Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain; and Meadows Museum in Dallas; Smithsonian National Museum; White International, Japan; as well as loaning 40 artworks for display at 3 venues in Duluth area. The Museum fielded 40 research inquiries from non-University researchers. 2: To encourage use of Museum as an educational resource for lifelong learning and research, by providing curriculum support, multi-disciplinary, and informal learning opportunities. Outcomes: the museum creates and delivers programs of interest and benefit to region-wide older adults, pre K-12, and college-age learners; and an increased number of American Indian residents in our region visit the museum and participate in museum programs. Education Programs in the museum offered included: 3 family days serving 224 people; 23 K-12 tours serving 1,015; 58 University/College classes serving 861; 12 tours for visitors with dementia serving 120. Outreach offerings included: Family Day at the American Indian Community Housing Organization's Gimaajii Mino Bimaadizimin. Exhibitions mounted included 4 special exhibitions of collection works, and ongoing exhibitions of collection works including 2 guest curated exhibitions.