Date: 12/17/2013
Final
Presentation by History Colorado
COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION
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02:28 PM -- Presentation by History Colorado
Ed Nichols, President, and Joseph Bell, Vice-President for Finance, Facilities, and Regional Museums, History Colorado introduced themselves. They distributed a packet of information to committee members (Attachment B).
13JtEd1217AttachB.pdf
Mr. Nichols invited the legislators back for another tour of the History Colorado's new museum. He stated that there are now more exhibits open and that FY 2012-13 was the busiest year in the recent history of History Colorado. He discussed the opening of the organization's new facility in April 2012; how History Colorado continues to work with regional museums; and how it is enhancing and opening new education programs.
Mr. Nichols stated that pursuant to Colorado law,, History Colorado is an educational institution of the state, but that it has its own independent board.
Mr. Nichols discussed History Colorado's 3 goals, including:
• Audience enhancement;
• Collections stewardship; and
• Sustainability
Mr. Nichols explained the organization's goal of audience enhancement. He stated that History Colorado aims to inspire love of, connection to, and engagement with Colorado history. He stated that this is best illustrated by opening numbers for the new museum. Having closed the old museum in 2010, the last full year saw 57,000 paid visitors at that facility. The new museum in its first year served 132,000 paid visitors plus 5,000 researchers in the library.
With educational outreach, staff reached 32,000 K-12 students in the past year, including 6,000 students from Title I schools throughout the state and over 1,500 experiences with at-risk students. Staff created two take-out programs to send to schools. Last year staff sent 9,700 take-out kits and 16,000 artifact kits. History Colorado continued its Old Stories, New Voices camp for underprivileged students at Fort Garland and is developing digital learning courses for students. Additionally, staff provided teacher training, and collaborated with CDE on the new social studies assessment. History Colorado provided 1,700 teacher professional development opportunities.
Mr. Nichols stated that staff implemented a series of adult education programs including a series of meetings called "Forward," related to diversity and promoting civic conversation. Staff participated in the Colorado Public Broadcasting Service series "Rocky Mountain Experience" and put on public programs that included live performers.
Mr. Nichols discussed the importance of volunteers. He stated that History Colorado has over 475 volunteers statewide, including over 260 in the History Colorado Center. Volunteers provided 31,000 hours to the organization last year, a $700,000 value. Mr. Nichols stated that History Colorado has seen an increase in membership as well, having over 8,400 member families.
Mr. Nichols discussed exhibits. Staff opened a series of exhibits, supplemented by the Work Projects Administration (WPA) diorama from the old museum. Traveling exhibits, such as the Jefferson Bible, were added as well. History Colorado was the only museum allowed to share the Smithsonian Institution's exhibit on the Jefferson Bible. There was an exhibit on the American Soldier (from the Civil War through Afghanistan). Active military are admitted to the museum free of charge, and many came to the American Soldier exhibit. Staff also provides educational programs relating to preservation. Classes are held throughout the state. Additionally, History Colorado was selected by the Smithsonian as a regional host location for the National Youth Summit during the summer of 2014.
02:42 PM
Mr. Nichols discussed his second goal, collection stewardship. History Colorado is the holder of the state's artifact collection, which contains 134 years' worth of artifacts. These were inventoried as History Colorado moved into its new facility. Staff has begun additional inventorying in regional facilities.
Mr. Nichols discussed the third goal, sustainability. He explained the organization's efforts to continue building an effective and financially robust organization. He stated the organization seeks to augment audience programs, where it can draw additional individuals into the facility. Mr. Nichols explained that staff members provide support to organizations throughout the state and that History Colorado continues to leverage partnerships.
Mr. Nichols discussed how History Colorado assists communities throughout the state via the State Historical Fund. Over $6.6 million in funds have been granted to projects in all 64 counties. Staff interacts with local governments and with tribal governments. Staff participated in an agreement regarding repatriation and reburial of Native American remains.
Mr. Nichols clarified his budget change request. The cash fund request of almost $500,000 would be to continue public outreach, and the $45,000 cash fund request is to true-up utility costs.
02:47 PM
Mr. Nichols and Mr. Bell responded to questions from the committee.