Report of Regents Cultural Education Committee to The Board of Regents
Regent Roger Tilles, Chair of the Cultural Education Committee, submitted the following written report. Your Committee on Cultural Education Committee had its scheduled meeting on October 27, 2015. In attendance were committee members: Regent Tilles, Chair, Regent Bendit, Regent Cea, Regent Brown, Regent Finn, Regent Chin, Regent Ouderkirk, Regent Johnson. Absent: Regent Cottrell
Regents In addition to CE Committee Members, in attendance were: Regents Cashin and Collins, Commissioner Elia and Executive Deputy Commissioner Berlin
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Chair’s Remarks: Regent Tilles welcomed everyone and opened the meeting. Regent Tilles reminded those in attendance about the Museum Advisory Council meeting that will be held later today. He also reminded those in attendance that the Blue Ribbon Commission on Arts Assessments will present their report to the Board of Regents at the December meeting.
Museum Director Mark Schaming provided a brief report on activities of the State Museum. Mr. Schaming highlighted the current exhibition on the Coast and the Sea as well as ongoing work to renovate Bird Hall. He also highlighted the recent publication of the book Art for the People, which reviews the Museum’s collection of stoneware.
State Librarian Bernard Margolis introduced and provided background on the appointments of Arlene Way and Emily Peterson to the Advisory Council on Libraries. Regent Collins requested a copy of the full list of members of the Advisory Council.
Motion to appoint Arlene Way and Emily Peterson made by Regent Brown. Seconded by Regent Cea.
Unanimously approved.
Office of Cultural Education Director of Operations Thomas Ruller reviewed the legislative and budget priorities that related to cultural institutions. He reminded the committee that the full board will consider these priorities at its November meeting. The Museum Education Act, which will provide competitive grants to Museums statewide for improving and expanding educational programs was discussed. Also discussed was the request to increase funding for library construction by $4.2 million, for a total appropriation of $18.2 million. Finally, Mr. Ruller reviewed four federal programs that have important support for New York State cultural institutions, including the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the National Endowment of the Humanities and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program in the U.S. Department of Education. Mr. Ruller requested that the committee consider full support for the recommendations regarding these programs.
Regent Tilles remarked on the copies of the New York Archives magazine that was distributed to members of the committee, commending its quality and accessibility. Executive Deputy Beth Berlin complimented the State Archives awards program that occurred on October 22, where three student research awards were made to students across the state for their use of historical records in research.
John Diefenderfer, an Archivist in the State Archives presented on a model program for electronic records management, developed jointly by the State Archives and SUNY Plattsburgh through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The program developed tools, practices and resources that colleges and universities can use to manage and preserve records that are in electronic form, including such resources as online course catalogs, student records and architectural drawings of university buildings.