The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) hired RK&A to lead an impact planning process for the Museum, and community partnerships emerged as one area of focus.  The Museum has a long-standing history in the city of Baltimore, and the BMA’s leadership plays a significant role in the cultural community.  Additionally, BMA staff members have a collective passion for and commitment to enriching community life in the Baltimore region.

How did we approach this project?

In light of partnerships’ importance to the BMA, staff members were challenged to effectively manage a significant number of partnerships and strategically consider opportunities for new collaborations.  As part of a Reflection Workshop in the impact planning process, we led a facilitated discussion on the BMA’s partnerships.  The Museum’s recently developed impact statement was paramount to the discussions: Inspired by meaningful encounters with the BMA’s collection and artistic program, visitors will expand their creative thinking, deepen their understanding of human experiences, and value the museum as a place for personal learning and civic engagement.  Reflecting on current partner relationships helped identify criteria that we used to develop a partnership vetting tool unique to the BMA.  Staff members use the tool to analyze current partnerships and consider new partnership opportunities.

What did we learn?

Forging and maintaining effective partnerships requires balancing the potential benefits and anticipated costs.  From a benefits perspective, the BMA’s impact statement provided a primary guidepost to review and analyze partnerships.  For example, does the partnership help to create meaningful encounters for visitors?  Does it help to expand visitors’ creative thinking or deepen visitors’ understanding of human experience?   Furthermore, staff members must consider any additional value or benefits that partnerships may provide the Museum.

Partnerships must also be carefully reviewed against anticipated costs, in particular, staff time dedicated to effectively manage the partnership and carry out partner responsibilities.  Cost considerations include roles and responsibilities, timelines, outcomes, communication, and quality control.  Staff time spent on partnerships is an investment the BMA makes, and the vetting questions help staff members carefully review each cost consideration.  Empowered with a vetting tool, staff can more thoughtfully reflect on the balance between To What End? and At What Cost? community partnerships are forged at the BMA.

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