Edward-Dean Museum of Decorative Arts

The transfer of operational management of the EDMDA to the EDA appears to have been both prudent and timely. The EDA has been partially successful in its efforts to resurrect a declining county cultural asset. However, several longstanding operational deficiencies (some of which are noted below) have been noted in previous Grand Jury Reports without any substantive remedial action. These deficiencies continue to have a negative effect on the museum and jeopardize its future viability.

The EDA does not provide a competent and fully qualified curator for the museum. This is a direct violation of the specific terms and conditions contained in the August 28, 1964, Agreement.

A certified inventory of all items contained in the museum collection (those on display and those in storage) has never been completed. For several years, an inventory has allegedly been “in process.” Moreover, the authenticity and historical significance of items in the collection have never been reliably established.

A comprehensive appraisal of the EDMDA collection has not been accomplished. Current estimates place the value at approximately $2.5 to $5 million.

Current insurance coverage for the EDMDA collection appears to be inadeaquate in direct violation of the August 28, 1964, Agreement that specifically states: “The center and its contents shall be adequately insured at all times.” 2

The EDMDA collection appeals to a very small segment of the area population when compared with other museums within the county.

EDMDA lost its American Association of Museums (AAM) accreditation in 1997 due to non-compliance with reporting and operational requirements. Although such accreditation is not essential, it is of significant importance in procuring operational grants, special traveling exhibits, and prestige for the museum.

The EDA does not provide a qualified maintenance supervisor to oversee and direct the activities of grounds and building maintenance workers at the museum. Museum structures, although newly painted, show a distinct lack of consistent preventive maintenance.

The Facilities Master Plan 1998-2004, a report prepared by the County of Riverside Department of Building Services for the Fiscal Year 1998-1999, stated that EDMDA contains structural deficiencies requiring renovations and repairs in the amount of $740,000.

The EDMDA Admission Recap Report for Fiscal year 1999-2000 states a total of 8005 museum admissions. As shown in the following table, however, the total number of actual museum admissions is more accurately stated as 3,487. INCIDENTAL ADMISSIONS* REGULAR ADMISSIONS EVENT ATTENDEES PAID NON-PAID (General & Group/Walk-thru) (Schools/Special Programs) 4518 1800 1687 *Represents individuals who were counted as TOTAL REGULAR ADMISSIONS = 3487 museum “admissions” but were actually attendees at special events being held on the museum grounds.

The draft outline of EDMDA’s Five Year Strategic Plan 2000-2005, as currently written, does not adequately address the development and promotion of new revenue-generating uses of the museum property.

The EDMDA Marketing Plan, although not yet fully implemented, appears to be inadequately funded at $10,000 per year. In addition, two recent promotional brochures refer to the facility as the “Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens” rather than the “Edward-Dean museum of Decorative Arts” as specifically required by the August 28, 1964, Agreement. 3