Now through the end of May 2024, Blaine County Museum is requesting the help of all adult Blaine County residents to participate in the Measure of Museum Social Impact (MOMSI) study. This study – the first of its kind – aims to assess how museums positively impact the communities they serve. In essence, this study will answer the questions “why are museums important?” with validated data.

The MOMSI study began as a pilot project at the Lehi, Utah non-profit Thanksgiving Point in 2016. 2017-2018, Thanksgiving Point and the Utah Division of Arts and Museums expanded the research to a state-wide study that would measure the social impact of eight museums across Utah. With the help of a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museums and Library Services, the study was developed into a nation-wide effort in 2021. Participation would be extended to only 38 museums across the country but, after a competitive application process, Ekalaka’s Carter County Museum (CCM) was selected to participate. According to MOMSI’s website, the study would “[advance] museum practice by measuring the social impact museums have on visitors and developing a tool for museums to better understand their social impact on individuals and communities.”

This year, Director of CCM, Sabre Moore, has invited six small museums from across the state to participate in Montana’s own MOMSI assessment, and BCM is proud to announce that we are one of those six. In Moore’s words, "[the] MOMSI project represents an opportunity for us to better serve our local and visiting community as well as inform the national understanding of museums and social well-being by providing participation from [rural institutions]".

BCM will be recruiting at minimum 60 Blaine County participants between now and May 31st. Participants will be asked to visit the museum three times between sign-up and October of 2024. Following those three visits, participants will be asked to complete a survey. At the end of the study, participants who complete all three visits will be entered in a drawing to win prizes. Participants will also receive 20% in the museum bookstore during each of their three visits.

To enroll in the study, stop by the museum, call us at 406-357-2590, or visit the museum’s Facebook page for details. We are currently open Monday through Friday, from 10 am-6 pm.