Workshop Curriculum Packages

These curricula are intended for use by service providers (field service programs, state and regional museum associations, etc.), consultants, and others who present training workshops for paid and unpaid staff of museums, historical societies, historic houses and other organizations. The curricula content are based on standards in the StEPs program and geared for small- to mid-sized organizations.

These materials are made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. You are free to add your logo and contact information to the materials and make changes in order to tailor the agenda, PowerPoint slides, handouts, etc., to fit your needs. AASLH does require, however, that you credit AASLH and StEPS in all of your materials with the following statement, “This workshop is adapted from materials provided by the American Association for State and Local History and its StEPs program.” Additionally, we ask that at the beginning of any workshops you present based on these materials, you include the brief StEPs overview.

Accidental Parlor: Balancing Museum Needs in Historic Structures

Details

  • 6.5 Hour Workshop
  • Powerpoint Slides
  • Activity Sheets
  • Instructor’s Guide

Description

This workshop helps participants identify space-use priorities and choices in order to balance efficiency with mission-supportive uses. Participants will use a provided example to explore how an historic house museum might realign its use of space, and in the process identify important issues to consider as they apply this process when they return home to their museum or site. The curriculum was developed by Sarah Brophy, consultant.

The curriculum materials were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

  • Accidental Parlor Curriculum Instructors Guide
    Instructors Guide for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Accidental Parlor: Balancing Museum Needs in Historic Structures. This workshop helps participants identify space-use priorities and choices in order to balance efficiency with mission-supportive uses. 8675
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  • Accidental Parlor Curriculum PowerPoint Slides
    PowerPoint Slides for use in the StEPs Course Curriculum, Accidental Parlor: Balancing Museum Needs in Historic Structures. This workshop helps participants identify space-use priorities and choices in order to balance efficiency with mission-supportive uses.
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  • Accidental Parlor Curriculum Activity Sheets
    Space Use Chart for use in the StEPs Course Curriculum, Accidental Parlor: Balancing Museum Needs in Historic Structures. This workshop helps participants identify space-use priorities and choices in order to balance efficiency with mission-supportive uses.
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Building a Meaningful Collection

Details

  • 6.5-hour workshop
  • 5 Handouts
  • 1 PPT Presentation
  • Instructor’s Guide

Description

The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand the value of a Scope of Collections Statement for their museum, historic house, or other organization, and how to go about drafting one. From taking part in the workshop, participants will understand that a Scope of Collections Statement will help them meet a variety of “bottom lines” in collections management; understand the difference between Mission and Scope of Collections Statements, and feel confident in starting the process of drafting a Scope of Collections Statement for their organization. The curriculum was created by Erin Crissman Richardson, Curator at the Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown, New York. The package includes an instructor’s guide, PowerPoint slides, and handouts.

The curriculum materials were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

  • Building a Meaningful Collection - Instructors Guide
    Instructors Guide for use in StEPs Course Curriculum, Building a Meaningful Collection. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand the value of a Scope of Collections Statement for their museum, historic house, or other organization, and how to go about drafting one.
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  • Building a Meaningful Collection - PowerPoint
    Slideshow for use in StEPs Course Curriculum, Building a Meaningful Collection. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand the value of a Scope of Collections Statement for their museum, historic house, or other organization, and how to go about drafting one.
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  • Building a Meaningful Collection - Handout A
    Handout for use in StEPs Course Curriculum, Building a Meaningful Collection. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand the value of a Scope of Collections Statement for their museum, historic house, or other organization, and how to go about drafting one.
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Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future

Details

  • 6.5 Hour Workshop
  • Powerpoint Slides
  • Seven Handouts
  • Instructor’s Guide

Description 

This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants  understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning. Workshop instruction and activities include planning terminology and the benefits of planning for healthy organizational development; elements and sequencing of a planning process; strategies for making a plan stick in your organization, and establishing criteria to evaluate your plan’s effectiveness. The curriculum was created by consultant Anne Ackerson. The package includes an instructor’s guide, PowerPoint slides, and handouts.

The curriculum materials were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

  • Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future - Instructors Guide
    Instructors Guide for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning.
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  • Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future - Sample Strategic Plan
    Strategic Plan Handout for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning.
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  • Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future - PowerPoint
    PowerPoint Slides for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning.
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  • Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future - Handout A
    Handout for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning.
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  • Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future - Handout B
    Handout for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning.
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  • Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future - Handout C
    Handout for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning.
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  • Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future - Handout D
    Handout for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning.
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  • Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future - Handout E
    Handout for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning.
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  • Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future - Handout F
    Handout for the StEPs Course Curriculum, Charting Your Organization's Course for the Future. The 6.5-hour workshop curriculum focuses on helping participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit planning.
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Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place

Details

  • 6.5 Hour Workshop
  • Powerpoint Slides
  • 7 Handouts
  • Instructor’s Guide

Description

The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community. The curriculum was developed by Sarah Pharaon, Sites of Conscience.

The curriculum materials were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

  • Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place - Organizational Chart
    Organizational Chart for the StEPs course curriculum, Can You Hear Me Now: Connecting to Visitors Through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community.
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  • Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place - Instructors Guide
    Instructors Guide for the StEPs course curriculum, Can You Hear Me Now: Connecting to Visitors Through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community.
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  • Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place - Handout A
    Handout for the StEPs course curriculum, Can You Hear Me Now: Connecting to Visitors Through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community.
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  • Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place - Handout B
    Handout for the StEPs course curriculum, Can You Hear Me Now: Connecting to Visitors Through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community.
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  • Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place - Handout C
    Handout for the StEPs course curriculum, Can You Hear Me Now: Connecting to Visitors Through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community.
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  • Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place - Handout D1
    Handout for the StEPs course curriculum, Can You Hear Me Now: Connecting to Visitors Through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community.
    You must log in to access content.
  • Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place - Handout D2
    Handout for the StEPs course curriculum, Can You Hear Me Now: Connecting to Visitors Through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community.
    You must log in to access content.
  • Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place - Handout D3
    Handout for the StEPs course curriculum, Can You Hear Me Now: Connecting to Visitors Through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community.
    You must log in to access content.
  • Connecting to Visitors through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place - Handout E
    Handout for the StEPs course curriculum, Can You Hear Me Now: Connecting to Visitors Through Real Stories of Artifacts and Place. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to find and tell real, compelling stories, how to address difficult issues within their community, and how to present stories to make their museum or site more relevant to visitors and its community.
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Money Matters: Building Better Budgets for Small Museums

Details

  • 6.5 Hour Workshop
  • 1 Powerpoint
  • 4 Exercises
  • 4 Handouts
  • Instructor’s Guide

Description

This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management. Workshop instruction and activities include preparing a budget, variance analysis, financial reports, and revenue sources. The curriculum was created by consultant Laura Roberts. The package includes an instructor’s guide, PowerPoint slides, and handouts.

The curriculum materials were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - Instructors Guide
    Instructors Guide for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - PowerPoint Slides
    PowerPoint slides for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - Exercise One
    Exercise for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - Exercise Two
    Exercise for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - Exercise Three
    Exercise for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - Exercise Four
    Exercise for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - Handout Five
    Handout for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - Handout Six
    Handout for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - Handout Seven
    Handout for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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  • Better Budgets for Small Museums - Handout Eight
    Handout for AASLH Workshop Curriculum, Money Matters: Better Budgets for Small Museums. This 6.5-hour workshop curriculum helps participants understand not only the “how,” but the “why” of nonprofit financial management.
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Understanding Audiences and Visitors

Details

  • 6.5 hour workshop
  • Powerpoint slides
  • 4 Handouts
  • Instructor’s Guide

Description

The focus of this 6.5-hour workshop curriculum is helping participants understand how to collect visitor information and locate demographic research and overall trends, and use that information to make their history organization more relevant to their visitors and communities. After completing the workshop, participants will have gained an understanding of ways to measure their audience; identify potential and future audiences based on an understanding of their own community; and how to locate free/low-cost resources for ongoing market scanning. The curriculum was created by Susie Wilkening of Reach Advisors. The package includes an instructor’s guide, PowerPoint slides, and handouts.

The curriculum materials were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

  • Understanding Audiences and Visitors - Instructor Guide
    Instructors Guide for StEPs Course Curriculum, Understanding Audiences and Visitors. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to collect visitor information and locate demographic research and overall trends, and use that information to make their history organization more relevant to their visitors and communities.
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  • Understanding Audiences and Visitors - PreWorkshop Participant Assignment
    PreWorkshop Assignment for Participants for use in StEPs Course Curriculum, Understanding Audiences and Visitors. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to collect visitor information and locate demographic research and overall trends, and use that information to make their history organization more relevant to their visitors and communities.
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  • Understanding Audiences and Visitors - PowerPoint Slides
    PowerPoint Slides for use in StEPs Course Curriculum, Understanding Audiences and Visitors. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to collect visitor information and locate demographic research and overall trends, and use that information to make their history organization more relevant to their visitors and communities.
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  • Understanding Audiences and Visitors - Handout A1
    Handout for use in StEPs Course Curriculum, Understanding Audiences and Visitors. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to collect visitor information and locate demographic research and overall trends, and use that information to make their history organization more relevant to their visitors and communities.
    You must log in to access content.
  • Understanding Audiences and Visitors - Handout A2
    Handout for use in StEPs Course Curriculum, Understanding Audiences and Visitors. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to collect visitor information and locate demographic research and overall trends, and use that information to make their history organization more relevant to their visitors and communities.
    You must log in to access content.
  • Understanding Audiences and Visitors - Handout B1
    Handout for use in StEPs Course Curriculum, Understanding Audiences and Visitors. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to collect visitor information and locate demographic research and overall trends, and use that information to make their history organization more relevant to their visitors and communities.
    You must log in to access content.
  • Understanding Audiences and Visitors - Handout C
    Handout for use in StEPs Course Curriculum, Understanding Audiences and Visitors. The focus of the workshop is helping participants understand how to collect visitor information and locate demographic research and overall trends, and use that information to make their history organization more relevant to their visitors and communities.
    You must log in to access content.