The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA) at the University of Oregon has worked with Gail Anderson and her team three times now, first on a Latino community engagement plan in 2013, and then twice on strategic planning over the next twelve years. Gail is a terrific partner because she brings a comprehensive understanding of museum structures, challenges, opportunities, needs, and constraints, yet still approaches each museum as a unique organization based in specific local communities and situations, with budgets, buildings, collections, and staff teams that are equally unique.
In 2022, the JSMA worked with Gail on strategic planning focused on the intersection of the museum’s mission and goals with staff planning and work culture. Gail’s combination of human empathy and critical, professional insight pushed us and helped us work more effectively together in tangible ways that matter. We also developed strong new mission, vision, and values statements, combined with specific goals that staff and the museum community are deeply committed to. In today’s museum climate, that’s more important than ever.
Gail Anderson is a legend in the field of museum consulting, with her earlier work for the Oakland Museum of California, transitioning the museum from public to private operation. I have had the good fortune of working with Gail and her team on a number of projects, from strategic plans and operating agreements to an innovative framework for developing exhibitions and the blueprint for a start-up museum. In every case, Gail thoughtfully and thoroughly plans the project and executes brilliantly. She will always be my go-to consultant.
Gail Anderson & Associates led our university museum through the strategic planning process. With careful planning, thoughtful assessment, and the experience of a leader in the museum field, Gail helped build consensus across the team and stakeholder groups. With her guidance, we were able to not only craft a new mission, vision, and values, but also ensure they reflect the current institution.
The strategic planning process was not without contention, yet Gail skillfully helped identify the major goals and inspired the entire team to commit to taking the actions necessary to achieve those goals. Our experience of the strategic planning process was as much team building and institutional visioning as it was planning. We are a stronger institution for the leadership and consultation with Gail Anderson and Associates. Within months, attendance is up 30%, workplace culture has positively improved, and the museum is visibly changed.
As Executive Director of Harvard Museums of Science and Culture, I cannot thank Gail Anderson and Associates enough for their guidance in the development of our Strategic Plan. Gail’s well-earned respect and renown in the museum field was evident from the very beginning, and her partnership with her associate, Lexie, brought a wealth of expertise backed by research to every step of the process.
They guided our team and our many stakeholders through an engaging, thoughtful, and well-structured series of conversations and workshops that honored the size, uniqueness, and complexity of HMSC. Their careful listening, incisive input, and steady guidance ensured that all voices were heard and that our community could truly see itself reflected in the final plan. Working with Gail and Lexie was a privilege, and their impact on HMSC will be felt for years to come.
GA&A has incredible experience to help leaders lead and organizations foster productive, relevant and engaging organizations. Gail has been instrumental in providing structure and guidance as we crafted and launched a multi-year collecting plan for the High Desert Museum.
GA&A skillfully guided a committee of experts and the end result has been a thorough, structured and mission-based plan that will help grow the Museum’s collection thoughtfully into the future. They also led the Board of Trustees, community leaders, staff and volunteers through a dynamic and exciting strategic planning process.
The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and its grantee benefited from Gail’s expertise in connection with a museum capital campaign.
She provided insight as well as practical recommendations to both the Foundation and the grantee – particularly related to board governance, financial management, and fundraising strategy.
GA&A clearly understands best practice in the field and they skillfully navigated relationships within the grantee organization and among other stakeholders. Gail’s engagement led to a rethinking of the project and team leadership and we are all grateful for her wisdom.
