If your internal museum director is a little too conservative and scared of their own shadow, take heart, show a little love and compassion, and you show them the door. All those voices just need to feel appreciated and loved. The ones working hard to keep you safe are also very tired and want to take a nice long vacation. Give them that gift.
Here is the exit interview I gave to the retiring director for the Cowie Museum of Art and Culture that exists in my mind. He’s been very helpful, but he’s an uptight and worries too much about what people think. Let’s call him Gary. He decided to retire as Director Emeritus instead of being driven out by the incoming board. It was a great party, and a lot of happy tears were shed. We bought him a nice gold watch and had a party . We had ice cream and cookies for dessert.
“On behalf of the entire board at the Cowie Museum of Art and Culture, thank you for having an eye on the big picture regarding long-term sustainability of the physical plant, but the current output is lowering attendance at the door, and we’re digging into our endowment a little too much. We need to start cultivating a new audience and practice a little stewardship for the next generation.
The concern over what current members will think is a bit overwrought. Recent focus groups indicate that they’re ready for more innovation and direction from the Cowie Museum. Your concerns about public perception are have been heard, but get in the way of the current/upcoming exhibits. The work that really wants to be shown is a little fresh and might ruffle a feather or two, but the creative team you have working for you is feeling a little too constrained with all the conditions you’re wanting to implement for the gift store. Membership is down too. We need some new blood.
There was a time when it made a lot of sense for the system you built to be in place, but now we have to get out in front of people, because the current campaign is coming to an end.
Yes, it will be scary, but a lot of what you put in place will still be there. We’ll be fine. None of the changes are going to happen overnight, so don’t worry about the building coming down. We’re adding a wing, not tearing things up.
The upcoming plan needs your input. Bear in mind that we want to encourage the younger, fresher ideas to have a little more time. They need to be heard and not just dealt with. It will be a little uncomfortable at first, but they’ve got some great ideas which you’re going to love.
You have left things in great condition, and we have things in control. Honestly, what we have to do will be uncomfortable for you to watch. All the old stuff will still be right where you left it, but we’ll have some new spaces and staff who are excited to start.
So, thank you so much for all the work you have done up to this point. You have kept us alive and safe from a lot of things that were somewhat harmful. This great institution owes you a terrific debt of gratitude for all the preservation effort. We’re able to move in this new, exciting direction because of all the careful consideration you gave to our future. Gary, you have our deepest gratitude and thanks.