Dear Friends and Supporters of the SCF Fine Art Gallery:

I am writing to invite you to two special events during our American Alliance of Museums (AAM) peer review and site visit at State College of Florida, Manatee - Sarasota.

On May 28^th at 5:00 p.m. we will host a community event featuring peer reviewer Dr. William U. Eiland AAM Commissioner and director of the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia, Athens. At 6:00 p.m. we will host a public reception showcasing our newest exhibition, Modern Masters, a selection of prints from the SCF Collection featuring newly-acquired photogravures by Christian Marclay as well as prints by Leonard Baskin, Salvador Dali, Arthur Deshaise, Marcel Duchamp, Käthe Kollwitz, Edvard Munch, Theo Wujcik and others. These events will be held at State College of Florida, Manatee – Sarasota, Bradenton, Fine Art Gallery, Building 11-125. This event is free and open to the public.

About the AAM peer review and site visit

The SCF Fine Art Gallery has been selected to participate in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP). Through guided self-study and on-site consultation with a museum professional, participation in MAP will empower the SCF Fine Art Gallery to better serve the citizens of Manatee - Sarasota by facilitating its meeting and exceeding the highest professional standards of the museum field.

The program is funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and throughout its 30 years has been administered by the American Association of Museums (AAM). As part of the IMLS National Leadership program, MAP advances best practices and fosters improvement in museums. MAP is a self-motivated program; application to and participation in MAP is initiated by each local institution, and those accepted invest considerable human and institutional resources into the assessment.

MAP is a confidential process of self-study, peer review and implementation. Museums use the assessment process to strengthen operations, build capacity, and enhance communication throughout the organization and in response to community needs. Participant museums choose one of three categories for its assessment: Collections Stewardship Organizational, Community Engagement. SCF Fine Art Gallery will take part in the Institutional assessment process. Small and mid-sized museums of all types, including art, history, science and technology, children’s, natural history, historic houses, nature centers, botanical gardens, and zoos participate in the program.

“Choosing to be part of the MAP program is indicative of the commitment to civic involvement, public service and overall excellence on the part of State College of Florida,” said Ford W. Bell, president of AAM. “Studies have shown America’s museums to be among the country’s most trusted and valued institutions. MAP is designed to make them even better.”

The Mission Statement of the SCF Fine Art Gallery:

The SCF Fine Art Gallery provides dynamic exhibitions that embrace critical issues and connections between art, education and culture. The Museum is inclusive and innovative - holding fast to the best traditions and willing to explore new directions.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions at loccisj@scf.edu. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you.

Joseph Loccisano, gallery manager / State College of Florida, Manatee - Sarasota