UC Irvine Langson Institute & Museum of California Art

The University of California, Irvine—known for its prowess in the science, technology, and healthcare fields—accepted donations of two private art collections to help infuse creative exploration into a range of academic disciplines. In 2017, it established a new museum to share these founding collections and other artworks with the campus and regional community. Three years later in the early stages of capital planning for a permanent facility, the inaugural museum director engaged Anne Bergeron to design and lead a process to transform conceptual planning into an aspirational, collaboratively envisioned strategic plan for implementation.

This work brought together 40 staff, faculty members, and students to address every aspect of the emerging museum—from exhibitions and educational programs to collection management and research initiatives; from branding and marketing to visitor engagement and financial sustainability; and all with defined measures of success. Planning was accomplished remotely during the pandemic, which initially challenged participants but ultimately created a shared platform to unite around common purpose. The resulting comprehensive five-year plan, which Anne produced in summary form for public distribution, created consensus around the path ahead and functioned as the museum’s organizational guide. She also served as interim deputy director leading the academic engagement, external affairs, and operational elements of the plan and proposed new building.