Our Mission (what we do and why we do it) is to embrace and advance Marshall Fredericks’s legacy as articulated in his credo: “[art has] real meaning for other people, many people, and might in some way encourage, inspire, or give them happiness.”
Mission Statement
The mission of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is to celebrate the artistic legacy of Marshall M. Fredericks through collecting, preserving, presenting, and interpreting his life’s work for the educational and cultural enrichment of the broadest possible audience. Through the Marshall Fredericks objects collection and archives, temporary exhibitions, publications, and education programs, the Museum contributes to scholarly discourse and serves diverse audiences.
The following values emerged in 2020 during this strategic planning process and continue to identify the current qualities and beliefs of the Museum.
MFSM Core Values
Inclusion
Diversity, Collaboration, Community, Equity, Accessibility, Empathy, Respect, “Other people, many people”
Excellence
Commitment, Integrity, Responsibility, Financial Stability, Leadership, Beauty
Relevance
Creativity, Adaptability, Impact, “Real meaning”, “Inspire”, “Encourage” “Give happiness”
Note: The Museum defines Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion in alignment with the definitions provided by the American Alliance of Museums.
Focus Area #1 – Diversity, Equality, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI)
MFSM is committed to advancing an authentically diverse and inclusive culture. This commitment requires continual efforts both internally and externally. We strive to be an organization that is representative OF our
communities, delivers programs and events co-created BY our communities, so that we are welcoming FOR ALL in our communities.
This focus area is tied to SVSU Strategic Plan Goal 5: Our community engagement activities drive regional and institutional success both locally and worldwide.
Focus Area #2 – Finance Stewardship & Fund Development
MFSM is committed to attaining a sound financial condition and becoming on track to be financially sustainable. The focus for this strategic plan will be the development and implementation of a comprehensive, and long-term fundraising approach.
This focus area is tied to SVSU Strategic Plan Goal 4: SVSU is financially robust, fosters sound business practices and is noted for operational excellence.
Focus Area #3 – Communications & Public Relations
MFSM continually initiates connections to diverse communities so that we can continue to build strong relationships, partnerships, and pathways for collaborations. Through a “think global, start local” approach, we will develop and promote a branded Marshall M. Fredericks legacy that will resonate with audiences globally while building one-on-one relationships with communities starting with those located closest to the Museum’s geographic location and building out geographically with those tied closely to the Museum’s themes. Using evaluation, feedback and various Of/By/For All resources, the Museum works to be both responsive and relevant to community wants and needs.
This focus area is tied to SVSU Strategic Plan Goal 3: SVSU is widely known across Michigan as a sought-after institution of higher learning.
Focus Area #4 – Legacy of Marshall M. Fredericks
MFSM continually and strategically works to preserve, promote, and advance the complete artistic and humanity-driven legacy of Marshall M. Fredericks.
This focus area is tied to SVSU Strategic Plan Goal 1: SVSU delivers high quality academic programs that lead to student success, improved retention and enrollment stability.
Focus Area #5 – Board of Advisors
MFSM is committed to having a diverse and inclusive Board of Advisors that is representative of the communities we serve and the areas of expertise required to fulfill our mission. Through preliminary orientation and initial onboarding to ongoing professional development and succession planning, the MFSM Board of Advisors is an engaged, passionate, and sustainable advisory body necessary to both the Museum’s stability as well as growth.
Focus Area #6 – Staff
The MFSM staff is committed to continuous improvement and learning to best live up to our stated values of inclusion, excellence, and relevance. We strive to create and sustain an equitable, accessible, and inclusive culture for a diverse staff that is representative of the communities we serve as well as the areas of expertise required to fulfill our mission. Through initial onboarding and ongoing professional development to empathetic and supportive team-centric practices, the MFSM staff are an engaged, passionate, and sustainable team necessary to both the Museum’s stability as well as growth.
This focus area is tied to SVSU Strategic Plan Goal 2: Our people, climate and culture transform lives.