Presenter urges creation of nonprofit to steward Attucks Museum

District staff presented a proposal to transition the district-affiliated Attucks Museum into a standalone nonprofit that would operate under a long-term lease while Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) retains ownership of the building and artifacts.

"What we're proposing is, creating and staying up a the Christmas attic museum as a not for profit," the Presenter said, explaining the move would allow establishment of a specialized museum board to manage operations, hire staff and pursue grants. The Presenter framed three goals for the effort: broaden public access, pursue targeted museum grants, and create financial sustainability for the institution.

The Presenter described a phase-based rollout that includes filing articles of incorporation, establishing bylaws and recruiting a staggered board. The administration said it would bring a resolution to the board at next week's action session to authorize work on phase one. "If the board is supportive, we will bring to you next week at your action session a resolution that authorizes the administration to begin to execute on this plan," the Presenter said.

The proposal, as described, keeps the museum's artifacts and facility under IPS ownership while outsourcing day-to-day management to a nonprofit board; the Presenter said the arrangement would mirror a long-term lease IPS recently approved for a different community partner.