University Museum Core Documents

1 Mission, Vision, and Values

Date of Approval: XXXX

Mission: To serve the public as an inclusive center for object based learning and research regarding the human condition across space and time.

Vision: To foster a humanistic appreciation of cultural diversity by creating opportunities for object based experiential learning and investigation.

Values: To foster inclusivity and respectful dialogue about the worlds cultures by training the next generation of museum professionals.

Principal Activities of the University Museum

Preservation: The University Museum is dedicated to acquiring and preserving collections of material culture, and holding these collections in the public trust. The museum only acquires collections in line with its stated mission. It strives to meet the highest standards of responsible stewardship, documentation, and care to preserve these collections (and the knowledge associated with them) for future generations.

Exhibitions: The University Museum uses interpretive exhibitions to provide opportunities for diverse audiences to engage with informal education about local and global cultural heritage. Staff, faculty, student, and affiliated scholar curators implement a mixture of permanent, semi-permanent, and rotating exhibitions based on original and participatory research with visiting scholars, indigenous experts, and other cultural heritage specialists and institutions. These exhibitions make the museum an active, knowledge producing center in the local and regional community.

Teaching: The University Museum offers curriculum in methodological and theoretical approaches to material culture in museums through the Department of Anthropology, and enhances instructional activities across other NMSU academic units by creating collaborative and experiential object-based learning opportunities. The museum also provides formal coursework in Museum Studies and helps train undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of disciplines–including anthropology, art, museum conservation, and public history–for future careers in museums and public heritage management. The museum makes its collections available for coursework, along with the expertise of its staff.

Research: The University Museum conducts original research and creative activities utilizing the museum’s collections, and facilitates research by students, faculty, and scholars both within and outside the university. Through independent and collaborative research with other NMSU departments, private/state/federal/international organizations, other universities and museums, and outside researchers, the University Museum engages with diverse disciplines and supports the production and dissemination of knowledge.

Outreach and Collaboration: As a relational space, the University Museum uses collections and museum practices to form relationships and create learning opportunities centered on cultural heritage. The museum integrates with local, state, national, and global communities by developing collaborative partnerships, producing scalable K-12 programming, facilitating access, and offering public events. The museum opens its experiences to the broadest possible audiences.