FOCoS RELAUNCH
What is FOCoS?
- Free On-Site Consultation Services (FOCoS)
- FOCoS provides advice and guidance to small or emerging museums using the resources and expertise found in established museums around the state. As a result of FOCoS, not only do museums receive valuable feedback on their programs and operations, but the museum community and Council are strengthened through the collaborative effort of professionals reaching out to share their knowledge of the field.
Changes to FOCoS:
- Updated applications
- Year-Round Applications Accepted
- FOCoS projects that can be handled remotely via ZOOM or Google Meet Ups will be ongoing as consultants are available.
- As large, in-person projects arise, we will plan accordingly as budget permits.
- List of available consultants
(If your project does not match with an existing consultant, we will do ort best to find a consultant that works for you and your institution.)
Click here for the application. You may apply any time to the Vice President, Alicyn Wiedrich, at vicepresident@ncmuseums.org.
Commonly Asked FOCoS questions
What areas of consulting are offered?
Sites can obtain free consultations in a maximum of two of the following topic areas:
- Collections Management
- Administration of Facility
- In-Person and Digital Educational Programming
- Recruiting and Managing Volunteers
- Marketing and Social Media
- Community Engagement
- Exhibit Design and Construction (in person consulting only)
Who can apply?
Any institution may apply. However, partiality will be given to those facilities with fewer financial resources (generally with an operating budget under $100,000).
Do I have to be an NCMC member to apply?
Individual or institutional membership in NCMC is not a requirement for applicants. While enlisting new members is an ongoing objective of NCMC's work, the overriding mission of FOCoS is to help small institutions, regardless of affiliation with NCMC.
Who do I contact?
FOCoS will be administered through NCMC's vice president working in cooperation with the chairs of Membership Development and Professional Development. If you are interested in serving as a consultant or would like to receive a visit from FOCoS consultants, please contact NCMC’s Vice President: vicepresident@ncmuseums.org.
How do I apply?
Download an application, put together your supplemental information, and submit your documents to vicepresident@ncmuseums.org.
Please note that applications can be created by staff or volunteers at a museum or site, but must be finalized, reviewed, and signed by the director or site representative of the applicant organization. The director or site representative is then the direct contact for all interactions involving the FOCoS program.
Download the FOCoS application here.
Some of our FOCoS Consultants
- Scott Warren, Director of the President James K. Polk State Historic Polk Site
Administration, Partnerships, Program development, Pathways to Senior Leadership, Governance - Karl McKinnon, Assistant Director of the Schiele Museum
Budgeting, Cost Accounting / Elimination Efficiency, board relations, and strategic planning - Kimberly Floyd, Site Manager at Zebulon B Vance Birthplace
Board Development, Non-Profit Development, Tour and Education Development, Start-Up Museums and sites - Alicyn Wiedrich, Art Curator of the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences
Community Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion, Public Art, Arts Engagement for all ages - Ainsley Powell, Curator of Collections at City of Raleigh’s Historic Recourses and Museum Program
Collections Management - Corrinne Midgett, Registrar of High Point Museum
Collections Management - Alexander Brooks, Education Manager of Gaston County Museum
Education, DEAI training
Some Recent Recipient Institutions
Could your institution be next?
Back to page top2019 – Iredell Museums
2018 – The Museum of the Waxhaws
2017 – The Milton Renaissance Foundation
2017 – Scotland County Historic Properties Commission
2016 – Swansboro Heritage Society
2015 – Asheville History Center
2012 – Korner’s Folly
2012 – Rockingham County Historical Society Museum and Archives
2011 – Penderlea Homestead Museum
2011 – St. Paul Museum / North Randolph Historical Society
2010 – Orange County Historical Museum
2010 – Robeson County History Museum
2009 – Kannapolis History Associates
2009 – Hamlet Historic Depot Museum