CAPE ANN MUSEUM 2015 ANNUAL REPORT FOREWORD nated work and to the individuals and foundations that We focused on communications—with our local have assisted us with purchases, including the tortoise communities, and beyond. CAM’s recent renovation sculpture by Paul Manship (see page 8 for details). and successful capital campaign were of great interest OUR MISSION Over the past few years affinity groups have to the regional museum community. CAM’s board To foster an appreciation of the quality and grown around specific areas in the collection. We president and director were interviewed for an article diversity of life on Cape Ann, past and present; thank these volunteers who take a special interest in the New England Museum Association’s (NEMA) in seeing that the collections grow, are cared for monthly magazine, and the VP of the board and To further the knowledge and enjoyment of Cape and are shared with the public. The Fresnel Lens director were invited to present at the annual NEMA Ann history and art; To collect and preserve significant Committee funded and oversaw a final conserva- conference in Portland, ME. The renovation project information and artifacts; and, tion project for the lens and the newly established was also recognized with an award from Preservation To encourage community involvement in our programs Maritime/Fisheries Advisory group has brought a Massachusetts. and holdings. In all our activities, the Museum renewed interest and energy to retelling the fisher- The John Sloan exhibition attracted substantial me- emphasizes the highest standards of quality and ies story and re-envisioning the Maritime/Fisheries dia coverage. CAM’s curator appeared on NECN and seeks to engage the broadest possible audience. Galleries. on WGBH TV and radio, among others. Our engaging crew of docents led 412 tours, shar- Exhibitions resonated with our local communities ing the Cape Ann story with 3,300 people. The suc- and with a broader audience. Exhibitions presented cess of the docent program prompted the training of Dear Friends, during the year reflected CAM’s central role as the approximately 30 new volunteers in early 2016. We begin with a sincere thanks to you—our mem- interpreter of Cape Ann’s art, history and culture. The We hope you’ve enjoyed the new design, for- bers, friends, volunteers and visitors. The accomplish- year began and ended with distinct artistic interpreta- mat and content of CAM’s newsletter, Perspectives. ments reported in this 2015 Annual Report would not tions of Cape Ann’s maritime economy—from Jim Each issue was enhanced by the addition of a feature have been possible without your enthusiastic involve- Hooper’s Portraits of a Working Waterfront to Vincent, article written by a contributing author. Our social ment and support. 2015 was the Museum’s first full Weaver, Gorvett: Gloucester, Three Visions. In between, media reach continues to engage new audiences with year of operation following the ten-month renovation Jeffrey Marshall's Knots showed the work of an artist concise, clever and well-designed Instagram postings and we are pleased to report that we succeeded in mid-career, while Roger Martin: Bill of Lading examined which have received considerable notice from art every aspect of our mission this year. the entire oeuvre of an artist’s long career, as painter, bloggers and the president of Digital Commonwealth, printer and poet. Finally, John Sloan Gloucester Days was a non-profit organization that digitizes and dissemi- Visitorship was up. In spite of the snow-laden early a CAM “blockbuster.” The more than 30 paintings on nates cultural materials. months of the year, we shared the Cape Ann story view, representing the entire range of Sloan’s Cape Ann with more than 25,500 visitors—almost 6,000 more output, attracted visitors from across the country. The We strengthened our ongoing commitment to ac- visitors than ever before. They arrived from 46 states show enabled us to build relationships with the more cessibility, in its broadest terms. Throughout the year, and more than 20 countries. than 20 museums that lent work and raised CAM’s the Museum worked hard to reach new audiences. As we do every year, CAM offered free admission to Cape Membership grew. CAM has very loyal members— profile as a peer to these institutions. Ann residents during the month of January. Almost thank you! Membership support makes up a quarter Our commitment to scholarship continued. As 2,000 appreciative people visited during the month. For of the Museum’s annual income and we make every is true every year, the Library/Archives served as a the first time, we were invited to apply to the Highland effort to create thoughtful and inspiring experiences valuable resource to researchers. In 2015, research- Street Foundation for a grant to support free admission that keep you coming back. At year-end, member- ers used CAM’s resources in the publication of four on one day during the summer. More than 600 visitors ship totaled 1,660 (450 more members than last year). books, one documentary film, a number of disserta- toured our galleries on a very busy July 17 as a result. Three hundred were first-time members. tions and an ongoing blog. Our reach outward to the Thanks to a donation from a patron, we’ve in- Building and caring for the collection remained world expanded as we prepared to launch Fitz Henry creased the number of assisted listening devices critical to our mission. This past year we were privi- Lane Online early in 2016. Support received from the available for our programs. We upgraded lighting and leged to receive more than 230 gifts to the Museum's prestigious Institute of Museum and Library Services signage for the handicap lift in the Folly Cove Design- collection and 175 gifts to the Library/Archives. We (IMLS) is yet another indication of the national inter- er Gallery and are about to begin constructing a ramp are grateful to the many artists and collectors who do- est in this innovative project. for the auditorium stage, made possible with support 2 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Students from Pathways for Children enjoy a John Cunningham, President summer day in the J.J. Bell, Vice President Museum's courtyard. David Porper, Clerk Arthur Ryan, Treasurer Robert Bachelder William James Kermit Birchfield Paul Littlefield Herbert Collins William Lynch Bonnie Covington Amy Moore William Cross Stevie Neal Stephanie Gaskins Ronald Nickerson Henrietta Gates Lisa Rich William Hausman Hinda Simon Samuel Holdsworth Richard Tadler Thomas Hovey Kristin Zarrella 2015 STAFF Administration Ronda Faloon, Executive Director from Gloucester’s Community Preservation Fund and We look to the future: Working with consultants Sheila Hruby, Administrator Cara White, Administrative Assistant a grant from the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation. from Technical Development Corporation, we are ex- cited to begin the process of updating our 2010–2016 Communications We introduced new initiatives to ensure financial Meredith Anderson, Design and Communications Strategic Plan. We’ve identified four areas to examine sustainability. The Annual Fund is critical to the Mu- Curatorial seum’s ongoing operations. This past year we honored in detail. (1) Collections: How would we like to see Martha Oaks, Curator long-time annual fund champion Dotty Brown by the collection evolve over the next five, ten, twenty- Leon Doucette, Curatorial Assistant naming the Fund in her honor. Also this year, we final- five years? (2) Facilities: What are our existing and Erik Ronnberg, Adjunct Maritime Curator ized a planned giving program and launched the Cata- projected facilities needs and how should they be Development lina Davis Legacy Society to recognize individuals and addressed? (3) Staff and Governance: What are the Geraldine Herbert, Director of Development* Amy Fanning, Development Coordinator families who have made planned gifts to the Museum. staffing and operational needs to fulfill our goals? (4) We continue to look to our younger members to Financial: How do we ensure the Museum’s financial Education and Programs stability over the long-term? Courtney Richardson, Program Coordinator* become the next stewards of the Museum and its col- Elizabeth Browning, Museum Educator lections. With assistance from some under-50 support- Our future planning will not be complete without your input. To that end, we’ll be sending an online Facilities ers, we launched the Red Cottage Society, a young Walter Chianciola, Facilities Manager patrons group, which has flourished this past year. survey to our members and friends over the next few Jude Seminara, Security Supervisor* months. Your thoughts and ideas will provide valuable The development department and administra- Research tive staff worked closely with area businesses to create guidance. Please participate! Stephanie Buck, Librarian/Archivist sponsorship opportunities that benefit each. Last year, Once again, for all of these accomplishments, we Fred Buck, Photo Archivist Cape Ann Savings Bank and Carpenter & MacNeille, are tremendously grateful to you who so generously Linda Johnson, Librarian Assistant Architect Builders, took the lead in sponsoring the support us throughout the year. We also extend our Special Projects sincere thanks to members of the Museum’s Board Melissa Geisler Trafton, FHL Online Senior Researcher Sloan exhibition. We hope to develop similar partner- Alison Anholt-White, FHL Online Researcher ships in 2016. and staff for lending their collective talents to meet- ing our mission and keeping it relevant. Visitor Services Finally, the success of our two annual fundraising Victoria Petway, Visitor Services events, the Captain's Party and the Women's Lun- Sincerely, Dianne Sampson, Reception cheon, made up an essential part of our operating John Cunningham Ronda Faloon * Leslee Shlopak assumed the position of Director of Development in July 2015; Kate LaChance was hired as Program Coordinator budget.