Museum professionals, volunteers, and supporters recently gathered in Bay City, Mich. for the 2013 Annual Michigan Museums Association (MMA) Conference, as well as the Quest for Excellence Awards. These awards are given annually by the association to acknowledge excellence in several areas.

The 2013 President‘s Award was given to Steve Arseneau, Director of the Dowagiac Area History Museum.

Nancy Bryk, associate professor for the Historic Preservation Program at Eastern Michigan University, presented the award.

“Each year the president of the Michigan Museums Association board of directors is given the opportunity to present an award to someone in the museum community that is especially deserving of recognition,” Bryk said. “Steven Arseneau received this award because of his innovative and selfless work to save the museum and its collections at Southwestern Michigan College. When the college decided to close it, he worked closely with the City of Dowagiac to secure a building, renovate it, move the collections, develop exhibits, and staff it with volunteers — in less than one full year! Those who worked with Steve revealed they could not have done this without Steve’s expertise and dedication. Now, the history of Dowagiac is accessible to all, thanks to the City, Southwestern Michigan College, and Steven Arseneau. Amazing!”

Arseneau, who was attending the award ceremony with his wife Christina, was surprised to receive the President’s Award.  “MMA is a well-regarded state museum organization and to be recognized by other museum professionals was quite an honor,” said Arseneau. “Moving a museum was not easy and I received help and support from many amazing people—we all look forward to making the Dowagiac Area History Museum a great community resource for generations.”

The President’s Award is presented annually to a person who has served the Michigan museums community.  The recipient is chosen by the current President of the Michigan Museums Association Board of Directors.

MMA also awarded Best New Publications Awards to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and Grand Valley State University Art Gallery, the Unsung Hero Award to Tom Howes at the Kalamazoo Valley Museums and Best New Experience Award to the Belding Museum in 2013.

With an emphasis on face-to-face collaboration, the Michigan Museums Association shares expertise and resources to promote standards and practices that make the Michigan museum community thrive.

The 2014 Michigan Museums Association Conference will be on Mackinac Island September 28-30.