Awards Program





The SCFM Awards Program was established in 1990 to recognize the outstanding achievements of the state's museums and museum supporters. Nominations are sought in three categories. (SCFM defines a museum according to the Institute of Library and Museum Services, "organized as a public or private nonprofit institution that exists on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes; and care for, and own or use tangible objects, whether animate or inanimate, and exhibit these objects on a regular basis through facilities which it owns or operates.") I. Award of Achievement Who: Any museum in South Carolina. Why: Presented to museums in South Carolina that have presented an exhibit, program or publication, which demonstrates excellent utilization of the resources available to that institution. How Many: The Awards Committee will grant up to three Awards of Achievement each year. Judging Criteria for the Award of Achievement How much did the project benefit the public? What was the museum's accomplishment relative to its resources? A museum's size, budget and staff will be taken into consideration by the Awards Committee in evaluating the nomination. The project must have been completed during calendar year 2008. However, projects or programs whose implementation was completed in 2008 but continue over a longer period of time may also be considered. II. SCFM Professional Service Award Who: Any individual in the museum field employed by or retired from a South Carolina museum and who has been in the field for at least five years. Why: The recipient must have distinguished herself or himself in the museum field and must have professionally advanced the role of museums or the South Carolina Federation of Museums. How Many: May be presented annually to one individual. Does not have to be awarded each year. Judging Criteria for the Professional Service Award The nominee must be an individual member of or be affiliated with, or retired from an institutional member of the South Carolina Federation of Museums. Priority will be given to museum professionals whose work and contributions have statewide impact and have a depth of experience with museums in South Carolina. III. Certificate of Special Recognition Who: May be awarded annually in three categories: a. Individual or Individuals b. Group or Organization c. Business, Corporation or Foundation Why: Recipients are deemed to have made special contributions to museums or demonstrated significant interest in the programs, goals and policies of a South Carolina Museum by providing services, manpower, money and/or ideas or have provided special help or support to museums in the state. How Many: Up to three awards are given each year if appropriate nominees are identified. The Awards Committee may choose to make no award or to make multiple awards in one or more categories. Judging Criteria for Certificate of Special Recognition A nominee in this category must either be affiliated with an institutional member of the South Carolina Federation of Museums or be at least an associate member in the SCFM. Priority will be given to individual or group efforts reflecting great initiative and/or single-handed and long-term commitment to an organization or project. Examples of a contribution may include in-kind assistance, institutional board service, project leadership, docent service, community project leadership, or funding of a special project. Invitation: The South Carolina Federation of Museums recognizes the special achievements of museums, museum professionals and museum supporters in South Carolina. The SCFM Awards Program needs your participation for its continued success. Please consider nominating an institution or individual who has contributed to the growth and success of our state's museums for formal recognition by the SCFM. Benefits: Winners are recognized before their peers during the Awards Luncheon held on the final day of the SCFM Annual Conference. Awards provide a vehicle for promoting an institution through media news releases, membership and fund-raising campaigns. Awards reinforce the quality of a museum's programs in a grant proposal. Eligibility: Nominees for the Award of Achievement must be institutional members of the SCFM and meet the IMLS definition of a museum as stated on page 2 of this form. Nominees for the SCFM Professional Service Award must be professional members of the SCFM or, employees or retirees of an institutional member of the SCFM. Nominees for the Certificate of Special Recognition must be affiliated with museums that are institutional members of the SCFM. Notification & Recognition: Recipients will be notified by February 1, 2009. The Awards Committee Chairperson will notify winners of the Award of Achievement and Certificate of Special Recognition and invite them to the annual meeting to accept their certificates. The president of the SCFM will arrange to have the recipient of the Professional Service Award attend the annual meeting. The 2009 SCFM Awards will be given during the joint SCFM/NCMC conference during the SCFM Business Meeting on Thursday, March 5, 2009. Nomination Deadline & Return Policy: Nominations must be received no later than January 19, 2009. All material submitted will belong to the South Carolina Federation of Museums unless the nominator requests that it be returned and provides a self-addressed package with adequate postage for this purpose. Nomination Procedures: Projects will be evaluated solely on the materials provided. Applicants are encouraged to submit as much relevant material as possible. Supporting materials should be confined to an 8 1/2" x 11" notebook or binder format, where possible. A nomination package must include three (3) copies of each of the nomination form and all requested materials listed below: 1. Award of Achievement should include: - Financial statement - Institutional brochure - Mission statement - Project description, purpose and budget - Photographs - Project publications - PR materials (press releases, newspaper articles) - Audience evaluations or reviews Or 2. Professional Service Award should include: - Years of service in museum profession (minimum of five) positions held in museums - Service to S.C. museums and involvement in SCFM and other professional organizations (SEMC, AAM, etc.) - Minimum of three letters of support from professional peers that represent a cross section of the South Carolina museum community Or 3. Certificate of Special Recognition should include: - Complete description of contribution - Supplemental data such as total hours contributed, amount of money raised, type of in-kind service - Statement describing how the museum's goals and policies were enhanced Mail Nominations to: John M. Sherrer, III Historic Columbia Foundation 1601 Richland Street Columbia, SC 29201 jsherrer@historiccolumbia.org Deadline for Submitting Nominations January 19, 2009