Community Services
Museum Division
What we are
The Grace Hudson Museum and The Sun House preserve, document, research and interpret the Carpenter-Hudson collections for public benefit, with emphasis on the lifework of artist Grace Carpenter Hudson (1865-1937) and her husband, ethnologist Dr. John W. Hudson (1857-1936). The Hudson-Carpenter family’s contributions enrich the understanding and development of the artistic, historical and cultural heritage of California’s North Coast during the late 19th and early 20th century guide and inform the Museum’s activities. A living cultural resource for the entire community, the Museum continues the Hudson-Carpenter family legacy by producing related programs, publications and exhibitions that provide quality educational experiences in the arts and humanities for all visitors. (Adopted by the Ukiah City Council in 1988).
What we do
- Responsible for the long-term preservation and enhancement of the Grace Hudson Museum’s physical assets including buildings (Museum itself, Sun House, Outdoor Classroom, Sun House Garage, Pomo Brush Arbor) grounds (The Wild Gardens, the Ts’iwish Wetlands, Sun House Gardens, Pomo Plants Courtyard, Redwoods Path and Parking Lot Bioswale), furnishings and collections (some 30,000 objects including fine art, historic glass plate negatives and photographs, artifacts, textiles and manuscripts)
- Serve a broad general public (both local and tourist) with quality educational experiences through changing multi-disciplinary exhibitions and long-terms exhibitions focused on Grace Hudson’s artwork, the Carpenter-Hudson family’s history and Pomo Indian culture and history. In addition, the Museum also presents a full slate of exhibit-related public programming including illustrated lectures, musical programs, art workshops, movie screenings, poetry readings, etc.
- Provide educational enrichment to K-6 classes from regional elementary schools, both public and private, through docent-led tours of Museum exhibitions and the Sun House
- Promote tourist visitation in the Ukiah area and support the promotional efforts of other Ukiah-area attractions through participation in First Friday Art-walk, Visit Ukiah, the Mendocino Heritage Network, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Artists Homes & Studios program
Our People
Budget Summary: Costs
Here is a summary of the budget unit in graphical form, illustrating direct costs and indirect costs. Click on the graph to explore greater detail of the unit's budget.
Budget Summary: Just the Numbers
Similar to the graph to the left, here is a summary of the budget unit, just the numbers. It illustrates direct costs and indirect costs. Click on the table to explore greater detail of the unit's budget.
Accomplishments
- Work with Sun House Guild Board to restore and revitalize historic landscaping around the Sun House; including restoration of a functional irrigation system. | Completed |
- Create policies and fee structure for rental of the museum’s public room and other possible museum spaces. | In Progress | DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Policies and fee structure have been created for the Museum’s public room. Gardens and other spaces in progress.
- Fully plot out exhibition calendar through 2020. | In Progress | DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Two of three exhibition slots are confirmed. A traveling exhibition for the third slot has been identified but we are waiting to confirm fees and execute a contract.
- Create 2-3 year operations plan based on adopted strategic priorities. | Not Started | DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Time and effort for this goal has been re-purposed on the development of a new fundraising database; An opportunity that arose after the FY18-19 began. The Museum obtained new and modern fundraising software through a Community Foundation grant. This software will facilitate the creation and implementation of new fundraising strategies.
Future Objectives
NEAR-TERM
- Begin to create and initiate micro fundraising campaigns for specific needs and also develop comprehensive fundraising strategies that will grow the Endowment and, through the Sun House Guild, provide greater support for Museum programming, outreach, and marketing. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: This will follow the successful organization of the new fundraising database.
- Develop and fabricate interpretive signage for the Wild Gardens (4-6 signs). DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Currently in the process of identifying funding sources for this need. A grant application has been submitted to the Community Foundation.
- Change all gallery lighting in the Museum from halogen and incandescent to LED. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: LED lighting has a longer lifespan, will reduce energy costs, and will help protect art and artifacts.
- Ensure the Museum plays an active role in promoting and growing tourism in the Ukiah Valley and Mendocino County. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: This is ongoing. The Museum director is an active participant on the advisory board for Visit Ukiah, and is also active as a member of the executive board for the merged entity (in-progress) that includes; Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street program.
- Create and initiate a campaign to recruit volunteers. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: The Museum’s volunteer base is aging.
INTERMEDIATE-TERM
- Greater promotion of the Museum in Ukiah Valley, other areas of Mendocino County, and in neighboring counties through strategic outreach. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: This would include creating stronger programmatic ties to K-12 schools, colleges, and universities; seeking partnerships with like institutions when they make sense, and speaking at service organizations.
- Roof repair. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Given the probable high cost of replacing the underlayment of the existing roof; research the possibility of doing repairs in phases while seeking funding sources.
- Prepare for eventual retirement of one or both curators, and one or both receptionists. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Assess staffing and revisit job functions and descriptions to reflect future educational and operational needs of the Museum.
The Numbers Over Time
Budget by Character
Budget by Fund
Notes
- The expense spike in Fiscal Year 16/17 was related to the Garden and Facility renovation grant project.
- Cost for the museum are being accounted for in the general fund beginning Fiscal Year 2019/20. The museum fund, 691, will be closed.
- The City will need to work with the Guild and Endowment over the next year to identify funding for roof renovations that are needed on the main facility. In the Fiscal Year 2019/20 Budget, grant funds in the amount of $25,000 have been reserved, but the project will likely exceed $200,000.