Museum Of The Great Plains Authority

THE MUSEUM OF THE GREAT PLAINS COLLECTES, PRESERVES, INTERPRETS, AND EXHIBITS HISTORICAL MATERIAL RELEVANT TO THE GREAT PLAINS OF NORTH AMERICA, FOSTERING RESEARCH INTO THE REGION IN ORDER TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF ITS HISTORY AND TO MAKE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO SCHOLARS AND THE PUBLIC.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ALLOW THE MUSEUM TO TARGET SPECIFIC AUDIENCES, ENGAGING THEM THROUGH A VARIETY OF TEACHING METHODS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IS INNOVATIVE IN PRESENTATION, EXPERIENTIAL IN NATURE AND ACCOMADATING TO DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES AND ABILITIES. THESE OBJECTIVES ARE ACCOMPLISHED IN A VARIETY OF STIMULATING FORMATS FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS. THE MUSEUM ENHANCES ITS PROGRAMS WITH THE KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WHERE VISITORS AND RESEARCHERS LEARN AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE. THESE EXPERIENCESS INCLUDE LIVING HISTORY COLLECTIONS, INTERDISCIPLINARY HANDS-ON EXHIBITIONS, SPEAKER FORUMS, AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES TO LAWTON AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. EXHIBITIONS: A SOLID INTERPRETIVE PLAN FOR EXHIBIT DEVELOPMENT GUIDES THE MUSEUM TO UTILIZE ITS COLLECTIONS MORE EFFECTIVELY, PRODUCING A UNIFIED AND POWERFUL THEMATIC STORY OF THE GREAT PLAINS WHICH IDENTIFIES EVENTS THAT REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF ITS LAND AND PEOPLE. MGP'S INTERPRETIVE PLAN GOVERNS THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENGAGING EXHIBITS THAT WILL APPEAL TO ALL AUDIENCES. THE MUSEUM EMPHASIZES THE ETHNIC AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF THE SURROUNDING REGION. THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION POLICY AND MANAGEMENT REQUIRES ONGOING EVALUATION OF THE MUSEUM'S PERMANENT COLLECTION, ITS CONDITION, SECURITY AND APPROPRIATENESS TO ITS MISSION. A DETERMINATION OF THE CONDITION OR RELEVANCE TO THE MUSEUM'S PRIMARY MISSION IS MADE IN THE COLLECTING AND THE ONGOING EVALUATION OF THE COLLECTION. THE MUSEUM IS ALSO RECEPTIVE TO ADDING NEW COLLECTIONS MATERIALS. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO FUTURE STORAGE CAPACITY AND THE NEED FOR DE-ACCESSIONING AND/OR STORAGE EXPANSION.