Earlham College (Joseph Moore Museum)

The Joseph Moore Museum (JMM) at Earlham College will expand its role as a community partner in Richmond, Indiana, and the broader region, by undertaking a community assessment project and accompanying pilot community collaborative partnership. This project implements a step-by-step strategic approach to assessing community needs and establishing ongoing community dialogue jointly, drawing on the insights and experience from leaders in the museum field, county leaders in philanthropy/service, partner organizations, and community members, while training undergraduate students in best practices of community engagement. Project outcomes include an increased sense of community ownership of the museum, diversification of the Museum Advisory Board and museum income streams, training for undergraduate students, written documentation of community needs, a co-created engagement plan, and a white paper for the community and museum field.