Collaboration enables the museum to broaden its outreach to audiences and provide greater access to its collections, research, exhibits, and programs. Working with partnering organizations in Central and South America will lead to an understanding of influence and contact between societies separated by time and space. Working with groups across a wide range of disciplines will create opportunities for descendant communities and culturally affiliated audiences to be more engaged and directly participate in the museum’s work.

Objective 6.1 Initiate collaborations and build partnerships with other museumsand institutions with similar missions and collections

STRATEGY A. Work with museums in Central and South America to explore the history of influences and contact between geographic areas
» Work with IU Mexico Gateway to establish relationships with museums and institutions
» Collaborate with researchers who understand and study complex societies and ties to North America through material culture and evidence of shared
intellectual activity
» Establish loan reciprocities

STRATEGY B. Establish relationships with North American cultural and archaeological museums
» Visit or contact 2 regional museums each semester to forge relationships

Objective 6.2 Increase campus integration with IUB schools, departments, centers,and institutes

STRATEGY A. Expand engagement with international student organizations and area studies
» Begin collaborations with Title VI institutions and programs at IU
» Become a venue for talks, symposia, exhibits and “broader impacts” for grants
» Use questionnaires to understand international needs at OVPIA, SGIS, Area Studies, social research centers and International graduate student organizations

STRATEGY B. Develop and create a catalog of teaching collections for classroom use
» Use questionnaires to understand undergraduate, graduate, and faculty perceptions and needs.
» Prioritize partnerships and tailor catalogs to audiences

Objective 6.3 Partner with Native American and other communities of originto support their needs

STRATEGY A. Involve Indigenous and underrepresented perspectives and people in exhibitions, interpretation, and programming
» Schedule meetings with tribal colleagues to consult about museum offerings
» Provide a voice to cultural groups through museum exhibits and programming
» Develop special opportunities for research, study, programming, and exhibits for members of recognized tribes of Indiana
» Host yearly symposia on Native American perspectives, research, and concerns

STRATEGY B. Build on the work of Native American Summer Fellowship in connecting the museum to Indigenous communities
» Learn community needs by meeting with stakeholders and interested parties
» Facilitate relationships by increasing grant writing efforts for Native graduate students
» Establish reciprocal relationships between IUMAA and tribal schools that allow for educational experiences for IU students, tribal members, and interested parties

Objective 6.4 Maintain and expand partnerships in Bloomington and surrounding areas

STRATEGY A. Support K-12 and homeschool instructors via in-person or online resources

STRATEGY B. Maintain and expand partnerships with community organizations via exhibit, program, and online support