The April 19 guest commentary by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser offers a bold new plan for the Louisiana State Museum. It proposes doubling the size of the museum and dividing it into three regions, each with a politically appointed board answering to a politically appointed governance council.
Unfortunately, there are no specifics for funding, strategic planning and staffing — all crucial components in maintaining American Alliance of Museums accreditation.
A recent legislative audit notes that the Office of State Museums has no strategic plan and that the museum’s budget has been dramatically reduced since 2009, while simultaneously adding several new museums to the system. The staff has been reduced by 42%. Additionally, after the last permanent museum director was terminated in 2016, a revolving door of interim directors has resulted in no consistent leadership or long-term planning.
These conditions have hindered the state museum’s ability to comply with AAM best practices and is putting its upcoming reaccreditation at serious risk.
The auditor’s recommendations need to be implemented, three of which are:
- Expand the budget appropriately for the current governance system, and increase staffing to previous levels.
- Create a comprehensive strategic plan for the future.
- Hire a qualified permanent director who can help pave the way to consistent leadership.
Governance of the current system should return the hiring and firing of a permanent qualified museum director back to the museum’s board of directors, a promise made by the current lieutenant governor when he took office in 2016.
The plan to create an expanded museum system needs to be set aside until the existing system functions professionally, in compliance with AAM standards.
ROBERT CANGELOSI Jr.
president, Friends of the Cabildo
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