StEPs-CT: Building Stronger Museums...Together

The Connecticut League of History Organizations and the Connecticut Humanities Council are pleased to introduce StEPs-CT--Connecticut's new integrated program of training, mentoring, and grant funding for smaller Connecticut museums, historical societies, and other cultural organizations.

StEPs-CT helps you to clearly identify and document your institution's strengths, and find solutions for those areas needing improvement. Your institution will work to achieve certificates in six areas of museum practice (three during year one, and three during year two) defined and developed into a curriculum by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). StEPs (an acronym for "Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations") was launched by AASLH in 2009 and to date has helped nearly 300 institutions nationwide begin taking "steps" to plan and implement permanent, positive change.

We know that stronger organizations don't happen overnight. StEPs-CT allows you to improve your organization at your own pace using helpful checklists, worksheets, sample policies, forms and manuals. And, with StEPs-CT, you won't have to go it alone. Your organization will receive support and training through:

• a series of curriculum based workshops for each StEPs standards section;

• a dedicated mentor to help coach you as you progress through the program (successful completion of year one guarantees acceptance in year two);

• access to the national online StEPs community with personal help to make the most of this unique resource;

• exclusive access to a CHC discretionary grant fund for an initiative related to achieving StEPs program standards.

Participation in StEPs will help your institution discover tangible results, including:

• Improved policies and practices.

• Clear direction for future improvement.

• Meaningful progress--identify, articulate, and measure your organization's accomplishments.

• Increased credibility with funders, the community, and stakeholders.

• Education of and awareness of standards for staff and volunteers, members of your governing authority, and your community.

• A valuable opportunity to make the case for improvement to stakeholders for staffing, training, materials, and equipment.

Questions? Check out our handy FAQ information sheet and StEPs-CT informational PowerPoint slides.

Click to download the StEPs-CT application form. Note: applications must be received at the CHC offices in Middletown by 5pm on November 30, 2011.

Unable to attend one of our StEPs-CT information sessions in October?  Come to the Connecticut Museums Reception at the New England Museum Association's annual conference on November 16, 2011!  We'll do an abbreviated information session about StEPs-CT during the reception and staff from both the CHC and CLHO will be on hand to answer questions.  Click here for more information about the CT Museums Reception at NEMA.

For more information on AASLH's StEPs program, be sure to read Nina Zannieri's HRC blog post introducing the program as a whole and Liz Shapiro's HRC blog post discussing the StEPs workbook.

For questions, please contact Melissa Diaz: P: 860.685.7583 E: melissa@ctculture.org

StEPs-CT is a program of the Connecticut League of History Organizations and the Connecticut Humanities Council.

StEPs is a program of the American Association for State and Local History with grant funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.