Building Connections: Strategies to Address Rurality and Accessibility Challenges

Abstract

Operating a museum in a high poverty, underserved area creates many challenges related to accessibility, programming, and funding. Over the course of nearly a decade, the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery (OVMoD) has identified several organizational practices that help mitigate these challenges. Located in the southeastern corner of Appalachian Ohio, the museum provides exploratory, multidisciplinary experiences for children, youth and families. Creating a multilayered approach with interdisciplinary exhibits that appeal to a broad range of ages and visitor interests helps to mitigate monetary constraints inherent in a small museum. Fostering collaborative relationships engages the community, which helps the museum be viewed as an educational resource and a valued site for service-learning and volunteer opportunities. Building these connections across the disciplines and throughout the community has enabled OVMoD to address many of the challenges of access and rurality. These foundational systems help OVMoD facilitate a sustainable model for future growth and are useful for museums in both rural and nonrural settings.