Partnership Power situates museum-related partnerships, collaborations, and networks within today's dynamic, ever-changing environment-with the increased emphasis on museums to demonstrate measurable impact in their communities and in view of exponential technological changes and in addressing such significant societal challenges as civic polarization, demographic change, economic inequity, and global warming. Through perspectives from other, related sectors, including libraries and other nonprofits; current museum case studies from a broad and diverse spectrum of museum types (history, children's, art, science, and ethnic); and proven tools, tips, and resources, Partnership Power: Essential Museum Strategies for Today's Networked World serves as an invaluable primer for museums - and museum professionals -- wanting to create and sustain effective partnerships and collaborations. The volume helps solve the partnership puzzle, focusing on the essential attributes of sustainable and relevant collaborations, within communities, states, and nationally, including examples of broader multi-institutional networks that are increasingly important to maintain relevance in this hyper-connected world. It contains words of wisdom from museum leaders, funders, community organizers, and researchers-both industry experts and newcomers--on what authentic partnership means, how partnerships evolve, benefits of partnerships as well the challenges they can present. How does a museum determine and select a viable partner or partners? What happens when a partnership encounters the inevitable pitfalls and barriers? When should you move away from a partnership? How does one evaluate a partnership's success or failure? The book also looks inside the museum: what are key issues of institutional culture, staff skills and competencies, managing financial resources, marketing the partnership, and working with boards that often emerge in the context of partnership development and management?

About the Author
Marsha Semmel is a national museum leader who has served in senior executive positions at the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. She has been the President and CEO of two museums, Conner Prairie and the Women of the West Museum. Semmel has been senior advisor to the Noyce Foundation's Noyce Leadership Institute, a global program for science and technology center leaders. She is currently on the faculty of the Bank Street College of Education's graduate program in museum leadership and serves as senior advisor to the Center for Science and Civic Engagement, a national network of academic and informal learning organizations based at the State University of New York Stony Brook.

Reviews
Partnership Power is a fascinating exploration of the history, reality, and potential of relational collaboration and networking for the museum sector. Semmel's thoughtfully curated set of case studies surface an evolving recognition of the rights and responsibilities museums have always had as elemental pieces of a larger whole. -- Brian J. Carter, Board President, Association of African American Museums, Executive Director, 4Culture
The ability for museums to partner meaningfully and effectively within a network of like-minded stakeholders who are dedicated to positive change is crucial for any organization that wants to be a vital and lasting benefit to its community. This book shows us dynamic case studies to illustrate how authentic partnerships might become ingrained in the very existence of our museums. -- Robert Stein, Executive Vice President, Chief Program Officer, American Alliance of Museums
Finally, a book that offers a dynamic paradigm shift where partnerships are essential for thriving in our 21st century ecosystem - one defined by disruptive change and expanding networks. Provided are numerous examples of cross sector partnerships and strategies inspiring out-of-the-box thinking and a call to action. Thank you Marsha! -- Barbara Henry, Principal, Barbara Henry & Associates, Transforming Museums
Like any marriage, each partnership is unique. This can make finding, let alone compiling, best practices and guidelines for successful partnerships nearly impossible. As usual, Marsha Semmel has proven herself undaunted by the task and has compiled a wonderfully diverse array of case studies, findings, and tips; in short, snackable modules that can be applied and recombined to inform the partnership initiatives of any size museum or project. -- Nancy Proctor, Co-chair, MW Conferences
A great donor and access-focused anthology on the fundamentals of managing digital materials, especially for those working in archives that collect from beyond their own institutions. The technical language is accessible and much of the content is scalable to archives of many sizes. -- Arlene Schmuland, head, University of Alaska Anchorage Archives & Special Collections



Book Information
ISBN 9781538103142
Author Marsha L. Semmel
Format Paperback
Page Count 388
Imprint American Alliance Of Museums
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 617g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 145mm * 24mm