Exhibit Design and Installation Questions

Valued Colleagues:

I am currently engaged in a project to develop an exhibit on William H., “Alfalfa Bill” Murray to be erected in a soon-to-be-renovated building on the OSU campus that bears his name. The exhibit will also examine the history of the building itself. As you may know, Murray is one of the most influential--and controversial--figures in Oklahoma history. He was a leader in the 1905 Sequoyah Convention that sought to create a separate state from Indian Territory, presided over the constitutional convention that led to statehood, was the First Speaker of the House in the State Legislature, served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, and was Governor during some of the darkest days of the Great Depression. He also was an ardent racist and ant-Semite.

The challenges in interpreting Murray, I like to think I can handle. With the help of a graduate assistant, I will develop a script for the exhibit, locate images and artifacts, and quite possibly compose label text. The exact design and installation of the exhibit is where help will be needed. So, I would welcome any comments, advice, and even recommendations you may have on consultants or firms who might be employed to do this. The exact location of the exhibit has yet to be determined, but in order for it to serve its educational purpose it should, in my opinion, be accessible to ordinary visitors to the building, and students especially. In other words, it will be in a rather open and unsecured environment. That being the case, I suspect it will comprise mostly wall of panels with images and text, although the display of artifacts and perhaps an interactive kiosk is not out of the question. Frankly, I am open to any and all suggestions.

A realize this all sounds very vague, but I would welcome any general ideas, input, or suggestions you may. I can assure you they will be appreciated and no doubt of great value as the project proceeds. I may be contacted via e-mail at bill.bryans@okstate.edu and by phone at 405-744-8179. I will also be at the OMA conference next week, so feel free to corner me there as well. Many thanks.

Bill Bryans
History Department
Oklahoma State University

New OMA Advocacy Piece

Yea! OMA has just printed a new advocacy piece for Oklahoma museums. It will be delivered to the Oklahoma legislature, just in time for Oklahoma Museums Week. Click here to see the piece

Let us know what you think!! OMA is proud of our Oklahoma museums.

Great 2008

Get ready- OMA is planning for a great 2008! We are excited to offer so many wonderful programs and events during the upcoming year. Remember scholarships are available to programming for OMA members!!! We look forward to seeing you many times in 2008!

Brenda

OMA office will be closed Christmas through New Year's Day

OMA wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday. The OMA office will be closed Christmas through New Year's Day. Remember the OMA website is available 24/7 and full of great resources! www.okmuseums.org

Hope to see you at OMA training in 2008!

Scholarships

I wanted to remind OMA members that scholarships are offered to OMA programming. Visit the programs and services page of the website for more information: http://www.okmuseums.org/secondary.php?section=4

I hope to see you at the training we have planned for 2008! It is going to be a great year!
Brenda

OMA Activities

The OMA annual fall conference is over and was a wonderful success. Thanks to Elk City and the many organizations and individuals for their support!!

The day after the conference, the OMA office moved within the Omniplex Science Museum. The OMA office is now located next to the Goldman Room. All the contact information remains the same.

Now the OMA staff is getting ready to assist with the national tribal conference for libraries, archives and museums to take place in OKC the week of October 21st..........

Museum Definition

OK- Here is the latest definition which the committee will present to the board in late September for discussion and approval. We would love input from the Oklahoma museum community to make sure this definition is inclusive and not exclusive! Give us your thoughts.

Museum Definition

A museum as recognized by the Oklahoma Museums Association, may be defined as an organization which uses a professional staff or the equivalent, whether paid or unpaid, that is primarily engaged in the acquisition, care and/or exhibition to the public of objects or interactive displays/exhibits owned or used by the institution. Further, a museum is understood to possess a variety of the following characteristics: 1) is organized on a permanent or regular basis for essentially educational and/or aesthetic purposes; 2) owns or uses tangible objects, either animate or inanimate; 3) cares for these objects; and 4) exhibits these objects to the general public on a regular basis at or in a facility which it owns or operates; 5) provides educational and cultural programming via interactive play. The definition of a museum may include but need not necessarily be limited to both governmental and private museums of anthropology, art, historical societies, historic houses, sites and battlefields, nature centers, living history museums, planetariums, science and technology centers, tribal cultural centers, zoos and botanical gardens.