Maitland Art Center and
Maitland Historical Society
Plan of Merger FAQ

Have the two organizations merged?

No. The Maitland Art Center (MAC) and the Maitland Historical Society (MHS) formed a Strategic Alliance Task Force seven months ago to explore opportunities to work more closely together. United Arts of Central Florida President and CEO, Margot Knight, facilitated these discussions with support from The Community Foundation and the City of Maitland. The Strategic Alliance Task Force is made up of board members from each organization and recently presented its report to their respective boards.

The organizations were very excited about the many synergies between the two entities that go beyond our shared status as historic properties and locations next door to each other. We have decided to explore and develop a plan of merger in early 2010. These exciting discussions will engage both MAC and MHS members and the greater community to explore how the organizations could combine to better serve the Central Florida area. We hope you will help us by joining in this discussion! The first meeting is February 23rd at 5:30 p.m. at the MAC Germaine Marvel Building, 210 West Packwood Ave., Maitland. After the plan of merger is developed the membership and boards will vote on whether or not to merge.

What are the benefits of a merger?

• Opportunities for both organizations to accelerate their respective visions and missions and service to the community.
• A broader regional awareness of the resources of the two organizations.
• A larger and stronger membership base committed to the collection, preservation and exhibition of the unique history and art of Maitland.
• The combined curatorial power will strengthen and expand the educational efforts of both organizations, as well as create innovative interdisciplinary programming.
• Enhanced organizational and fiscal capacity that will, in turn, increase political and fiscal clout to attract new sources of funding from the public and private sectors, as well as strengthen relationships with current funders.
• Increased efficiency of operations and economies of scale.
• Potential for a combined campus with a new museum building that would create a unique cultural destination.

How long will this take?

The two organizations will work with United Arts President and CEO Margot Knight to facilitate the discussion through January, February, and March with a target date for a vote by the respective boards and membership by the beginning of April. The plan will be developed through a series of committee and community meetings. Both organizations look forward to working closely with their members and the community at large to develop a better way to serve the Central Florida area.

Why was this discussion started?

The proximity and similarity of the institutions’ missions has been a topic for years in the community. However, the economic climate gave new impetus for the organizations to discuss increasing their collaboration to the level of an alliance. Although the potential for cost efficiencies and more funding opportunities were the initial impetus for merger exploration, both MAC and MHS are interested in what is in the best long term interests of the community. The plan of merger is not being developed to create a short term financial gain. The goal is to further the mission of both organizations in their service to the community.

What if the organizations decide not to merge?

Even if MAC and MHS decide that it is not in the best interests of the community to merge, the process of collaborating on a larger scale has been instituted. The relationships created and knowledge shared during the merger process are sure to continue benefitting the organizations and community through new projects and events in the future.