See the story below. There are several allusions to "refocusing the
mission of the museum". Does anyone happen to know what the original
mission of MNA was?
MNA sells more assets
By DAILY SUN STAFF
03/11/2003
The Museum of Northern Arizona has sold its interest in the Peaks Senior Living
Community to the two remaining Peaks partners as it seeks to focus on its core
educational and scientific mission as a museum.
"The board has decided it's time to refocus our mission and we ought not to be
part of a health care institution like the Peaks," said Eugene Hughes, a
former NAU president who serves as president of the museum.
No price was disclosed for MNA's share of the Peaks, to which it originally
contributed land.
Hughes also announced that MNA has sold an 8.6-acre parcel of land north of the
museum to the city of Flagstaff for the expansion of Cheshire Park and for an
urban trail. The museum will receive $820,000 for the parcel and the trail
easement.
Last April, the museum announced it was selling items from its collection to
raise cash after two straight years of operating deficits. The sale followed by
one month the ouster of museum president Arthur Wolf and a number of layoffs.
At the time, Hughes said MNA would be looking at other "non-working assets" for
possible sale, including the nine acres in Cheshire and 90 acres across Fort
Valley Road in unincorporated Coconino County. The latter was given to MNA to
sell to benefit the museum, but Hughes said no decision has been made yet on
the parcel's disposition.
In a press release announcing the museum's divestment of its commercial
interest in the Peaks, Hughes said MNA would continue to serve Peaks residents
with exhibits and programs while retaining a non-voting seat
on the board of directors.
The other two partners are Northern Arizona Healthcare and Minnesota-based
Intergenerational Living and Healthcare.
In two other partner- ships, MNA leases land to the Flagstaff Arts and
Leadership Academy and sits on the board of the Coyote Springs luxury housing
subdivision.
In an interview Monday, Hughes said no more sales from the permanent collection
are anticipated, although some items may be returned to donors because the
museum can no longer afford the storage costs.
The museum is a federal depository for archaeological artifacts that, by law,
it must store and maintain. Museum officials have been seeking federal
subsidies to help defray those costs.
Hughes said the board is looking to launch a new contract science program, MNA
Solutions, that will conduct archaeological and geologic surveys.
The museum is cele- brating its 75th year in 2003, and it will showcase the 75
most significant pieces in its collection this year, Hughes said.
The first new exhibition of the year -- on dinosaurs -- will open in April, and
Hughes characterized it as a "dynamic" exhibit that is aimed at increasing
museum attendance.
Another exhibition later in the year will focus on maps.
Hughes said the board has set up a screening committee in the search for a
permanent director to oversee day-to-day operations of the museum. The panel is
likely to turn to a national search firm for assistance.
Currently, Bob Baughman, a Sedona retiree, is serving as interim director, and
Hughes, as president, is handling external relations and fund-raising.
"We have a very pro-active board that is dedicated to refocusing the mission of
the museum," Hughes said.