Over 100 years of combined industry experience!

Steve Keller had spent decades working with over 900 museums around the globe, building a reputation as one of the most sought-after museum security consultants. Yet, despite his vast experience and countless consultations, one glaring issue nagged at him—training. While museums had made strides in improving their security systems and devices, the training for the staff tasked with protecting priceless collections and visitors often lagged behind. The realization that on-the-job training was frequently the only training many museum staff members received was a concern he couldn’t ignore. But solving it? That was another story.

A seasoned Director of Security—who had long faced the same frustrations—crossed paths with Steve at a professional event, and they recognized the same critical gap: while technological security solutions had improved, staff training had not kept pace. That director had tried to find a suitable training program for their team, only to discover that accessible, effective resources were nearly impossible to come by. The concern wasn’t limited to their own institution—it reflected a widespread challenge across museums.

No one is more acutely aware of the need for modern and up-to-date training resources than Museum Training Resources. As technology changes, so too must a museum’s employees, from security to visitor services, point of sale to administration.

Museum Training Resources was established by museum professionals who recognized the hardest and most costly aspects of museum management – from all angles – that needed to be addressed.

Join us for a learning journey led by museum professionals who understand the nuances of the field and are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your education will be in the best possible hands, ensuring that you are well-prepared for a successful career in the museum world.

What if there were a way to completely redefine museum training? Not the stale, outdated methods people had grown to expect, but something dynamic, affordable, and tailored to the unique needs of museums?

And so, Museum Training Resources (MTR) was born. Combining Steve’s unmatched security expertise with real-world, hands-on museum experience, MTR was designed to transform how cultural property staff are trained. The goal was ambitious but clear: create a self-paced, interactive, and comprehensive training platform that equips museum teams with the knowledge and skills they need to protect collections, staff, and visitors alike. Early on, MTR realized a key truth: for training to be truly effective, it couldn’t stop with security. Everyone, from curators to front desk staff, plays a critical role in safeguarding cultural properties. MTR expanded its offerings to ensure all museum employees are trained to respond confidently and appropriately in any situation. But they didn’t stop there—they even developed engaging educational experiences for visitors, fostering a culture of awareness and responsibility within the broader community.

MTR became more than a business; it became a mission. By addressing real-world scenarios, adapting to emerging threats, and focusing on engagement, the program quickly proved that training didn’t have to be dull or disconnected. Instead, it could be empowering and effective.

Through MTR, what began as a conversation over a shared frustration is now changing the game for museums everywhere, helping to safeguard our shared cultural heritage for generations to come.

Meet the minds behind Museum Training Resources!

Steve Keller

Steve Keller, Managing Partner at Museum Training Resources Inc. and the founder of Steve Keller and Associates, has provided invaluable expertise to over 950 museums, libraries, historic sites, national and state parks, and cultural centers.

His illustrious career encompasses various roles in the security sector, including serving as the Executive Director of Protection Services and Construction Projects Advisor for the Art Institute of Chicago. Steve has also contributed significantly to law enforcement, having worked as a Detective for the Metropolitan Police Department and later as a Special Agent and Assistant Director of Security for the Federal Reserve Board.

As a primary author of “The Suggested Guidelines for Museum Security,” Steve Keller has set the standard for security and security systems in North America. Widely recognized as a leading authority on museum security, he has received numerous accolades.

Dan Lazuta

Dan Lazuta has worked in the Information Technology industry his entire career and has dedicated the past 20 years to serving the security needs of the cultural properties industry. Dan was one of the original principals of Acuity-vct / Art Sentry and still serves as an advisor to that company which provides security and object protection for many national museums. Dan believes the core mission of museums is to provide education, historical context, beauty and a safe and welcoming environment for all guests. He has experienced the evolution of how museums bring the past to life and have worked to provide security for both a museum’s collection and its guests. Dan is a frequent speaker at security seminars around the U.S. and in his current role of Vice President of Sales, Dan brings his sales, marketing, and problem-solving expertise to Museum Training Resources (MTR). Dan decided to join MTR because he feels strongly that while security systems and products within cultural properties have improved dramatically over the years, high quality training is often overlooked. This often leads to unprepared security staff and even frivolous failure to train lawsuits museums often endure. MTR’s mission is to provide affordable, self-paced, comprehensive on-line training that will assist museums in their mission and help secure their collections so they can be enjoyed by generations to come.

Laura Hausman

Laura Hausman, Director of Sales, brings over 30 years of experience in sales and marketing to Museum Training Resources. Being involved in the museum and cultural properties industry for nearly a decade, Laura understands the market and its unique set of requirements.

The importance of training has always been a passion of Laura’s and she delivers that expertise from her sales management background to Museum Training Resources. Laura is happy to deliver a product that is both much needed and greatly valued by our museum partners. The client’s needs are always her top priority, and she enthusiastically shares the story of how Museum Training Resources can help all cultural institutions, no matter the size.