Kalamazoo Valley Museum Receives Quest for Excellence Awards

Last month, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum received two of the four “Quest for Excellence” awards given at the Michigan Museum Association’s annual conference.

The KVM’s museON publication was recognized for its colorful redesign and use of QR codes. Tom Howes, exhibit technician, was awarded the “Unsung Hero” award for his dedicated commitment to maintaining great exhibits and for his innovative approach to re-engineering display elements, including the use of 3D printer technology, to produce more durable housing mounts for the extremely popular race track exhibit.

“Tom is very talented and very deserving of this recognition,” said Kalamazoo Valley Museum Director Bill McElhone. “The Excellence Award for museON is wonderful, as it underscores the importance of getting well-designed messaging about the KVM’s breadth of offerings communicated to the public, to our visitors.”

McElhone explained, “I like to say that the Museum staff, through all of its planning, create a "party," and that the marketing effort is the invitation. Without one or the other, you’re not likely to have a good or successful party."

McElhone said he’s proud of the fact that the KVM took two of the four Excellence Awards presented at this fall's MMA conference in October. “It’s great to earn this kind of recognition from your colleagues from across the state. The Awards acknowledge the commitment by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and KVM volunteers and staff in maintaining a remarkable community museum,” he said.

Admission to the Museum is free. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.