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TRACK – Training, Resources, Assessment, Coaching and Knowledge-Sharing

The TRACK program provides comprehensive training, resources, assessment, coaching, and knowledge-sharing for museums. It guides museums on updating their standards of operation and becoming stronger, more engaged organizations by identifying needs and opportunities for support.

Built on the Museum Evaluation Program’s (MEP) foundation, TRACK expands beyond museum standards to include EDI, accessibility, responding to climate change, and engaging in community-led services. ANSM contracts additional professionals to provide content specific training and advice for participating museums.

TRACK operates annually on a thematic basis, allowing museums to explore two areas of operation every year, and work and learn collaboratively with colleagues and experts.

Participation in TRACK is eligibility requirement to receive CMAP funding. Museums do not need to be an ANSM member to participate in TRACK. We encourage you to read the letter of support from CCTH for more information.

Register for TRACK

Resources

Request training access, and read or watch the presentations about ANSM’s new TRACK program

> TRACK Assessment Modules and Schedule

> TRACK Training

> Download TRACK presentation (PDF)

> Introducing TRACK video

Being on TRACK in 2025

For CMAP and other grant reporting requirements, ANSM will provide a list to CCTH in December 2025 of which museums are “On TRACK.” To be “On TRACK” in 2025 museums must:

  • Be registered with ANSM as part of the TRACK program. There is no cost to register to be part of the TRACK program and museums do not need to be ANSM members.
  • Complete the Needs Assessment questionnaire online by February 14, 2025
  • Submit Peer Review online by May 16, 2025
  • Complete the Standards questionnaires online by September 12, 2025
  • Participate in at least one training opportunity per pillar by December 15, 2025

ANSM will proactively engage with museums to meet this benchmark, but it is important to note that ANSM cannot assume liability for any museum’s inability to meet these requirements. Museums are encouraged to ensure their contact information is current, promptly respond to messages, and actively participate in TRACK activities.

What does TRACK offer museums?

TRAINING:

ANSM will offer an increase in training in various ways, including:

  • Webinars
  • Workshops
  • Updates to existing ANSM Training
  • Connecting with other sources

RESOURCES:

ANSM will develop resources which address topics identified in the assessments.

ASSESSMENT:

Museums will continue to be assessed on a 4-year cycle. The new assessment will remove numerical scoring, increase the focus on qualitative information, and infuse the program with EDI, accessibility, responding to climate change, and addressing community needs. Assessment will include three types of questions, all done through submission rather than site visits:

  • Standards Questions: These specific questions will focus on museum standards and be infused with the new perspectives.
  • Expert Peer Coaching: Museums will submit requested examples of work. A review team will provide feedback in the form of reports, which should be seen as a tool for capacity building by sites, and a needs assessment for ANSM training. If you are interested in being a peer coach, download the application form to learn more.
  • Self-Reflection: Questions will include rubric and short answer formats and will not be rated. The goal of this section is museums will use the process to identify where they require training and ANSM will use this information to support training needs.

COACHING:

Museums will be offered one-on-one coaching sessions. This will include virtual and/or in-person visits with ANSM staff person and content experts (consultant in EDI, climate change, etc.).

KNOWLEDGE-SHARING:

Museums will be invited to learn from each other by sharing their successful programs and projects via webinars, social media, the Beacon e-newsletter, networking events, and as case studies in workshops and courses.

Advantage of new TRACK program for museums

Museums will continue to build on the success of the MEP with improved museum practices. Due to the reduced resources required to prepare for this new program, museums will have more resources and increased capacity to focus on issues such as EDI, accessibility, responding to climate change, and responding to community needs. Museums will also see an approach that is more responsive to their individual needs.

Timeline (late 2024 – early 2025)

Oct 2024
Fall Regional Meetings
Launch of new TRACK year

Jan, 13, 2025
Preparing for TRACK webinar

Feb, 14, 2025
Needs assessment due (online form)

Spring Regional Meetings 2025
Release Needs of Assessment Report and training schedule, workshop with coach

April 2025
Report to CCTH on Needs Assessment trends

May, 16, 2025
Peer Review due (online form)

May to August 2025
Tuesday on TRACK, Coaching office hours

September,12, 2025
Submit Standards (online forms)

November 2025
Standard & Peer Review Reports circulated

January 2026
Final Report to CCTH

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