Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History presents plan focused on re-accreditation, outreach and financial stability

Rachel Miller, executive director of the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, presented the museum's revised strategic plan to the City Council on Wednesday and described work underway to pursue re-accreditation and update the museum's interpretive plan.

Miller said the museum is pursuing re-accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, an accreditation held by roughly 4 percent of U.S. museums. She described five strategic goals: prioritize re-accreditation and collections stewardship; develop an interpretive master plan for diverse audiences; amplify community science, cultural history and outreach; elevate organizational capacity and staff development; and strengthen financial stability and board development.

Miller told the council the museum has applied for or received support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to pay for an updated interpretive plan and said the city, which owns the museum collections and facility, is a partner in stewardship and capital improvements. She said the museum closed Jan. 1-7 for a gallery refresh, staff and volunteers repainted galleries and exhibitions were reorganized.

Council members asked about financial and staffing capacity. Miller said the Museum Foundation handles operations while the city manages the facility; the museum is fundraising to restore a collections director role that left in September. She said the museum is seeking large grants and private donations to increase staff capacity and sustain programs.

The presentation was informational; no council action was requested or taken. Council members thanked Miller and expressed support for continued collaboration between the city and the museum on facility maintenance and programmatic goals.