MUSEUM OF NORTHERN ARIZONA

Founded in 1928 by a group of Flagstaff citizens, the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) is a private, non-profit, educational institution located in Flagstaff, AZ on the edge of the Colorado Plateau. With a long and distinguished history deeply rooted in an intimate relationship with the tribal nations of the area, the goal of this strategic plan is to provide a robust, actionable, and visionary framework that leads MNA from 2022 to 2028, positioning the institution for success as it embarks on its second century.

The consultation outcomes guided our work with MNA towards the revitalization of, and reinvestment in, its primary assets: its magnificent collection, dedicated staff, and unique context on the rich landscape of the Colorado Plateau. This plan aligns and empowers staff as they move forward with creativity and intentionality, championing MNA’s advancement and garnering support among the Museum’s primary stakeholders and the wider community.

As part of the strategic planning process, we worked with the Board of Trustees reviewing MNA’s mission and vision and determined they required changes to accurately reflect the direction of the Museum. MNA is now moving forward with a renewed mission to be the gateway to understanding the Colorado Plateau, engaging local, regional, and global audiences with life-enriching knowledge and experiences. We can learn universal lessons through greater understanding of this remarkable place. These insights are timely and widely relevant, illuminating the connections between people, place, and time through science, art, and culture.

“With this plan as our north star, we confidently advance towards MNA's next century with energy and enthusiasm, expressing a shared and unified vision of who we are, what we do, why we do it.

—Mary Kershaw, Executive Director and CEO