REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
The National Capital Radio & Television Museum in Bowie, Maryland, is
entertaining proposals for the creation of an institution-wide
interpretive plan. This work will be contingent upon funding from the
Institute of Museum and Library Services. Individuals with expertise
in interpretive planning and project management are encouraged to
submit a proposal. Please respond off list to
[log in to unmask] if you plan to submit a proposal.
History
Starting with no building, funds, collection, and only a handful of
dedicated volunteers, the National Capital Radio & Television Museum
began in 1994 as the Radio History Society (RHS) operating the Radio &
Television Museum. Volunteers borrowed artifacts from local radio
collectors and mounted temporary exhibits in several of the region’s
public libraries, downtown at the George Washington University, and at
City Place Mall in Silver Spring. In the meantime, members sought an
affordable building in which to create a permanent museum.
In 1998 RHS learned of a century-old former farmhouse in Bowie,
Maryland, that was owned and had just been refurbished by the city.
The public-private partnership between the Society and the City begun
in 1998 continues today with the Museum renting the property from the
city. The Museum opened its doors to the public in June 1999, using a
patched-together collection of cabinets and tables to display a
growing and already impressive collection of early radios, plus a few
television sets.
By 2010 the success of the Museum made it clear that professional
assistance was needed, in part, to ensure the Museum’s sustainability.
A museum professional, hired initially as part time, but now full time
was engaged. In 2012 the Society and Museum merged into the National
Capital Radio & Television Museum.
Current Need
The need for an institution-wide interpretive plan, among other needs,
were identified as part of the Board’s strategic planning process,
undertaken following the employment of the museum professional. It was
clear that an outside vendor was needed to work with the staff, board,
and volunteers to create such a plan. This is an institution-wide
interpretive plan that will be used in all aspects of the Museum’s
work, from collecting and exhibitions, to public and school programs,
museum shop, etc.
With the assistance of a grant from IMLS (application to be made
against the January 15, 2013, deadline), the Museum expects the
contract work to begin in October 2013 with the plan completed, if not
initial implementation started, by the end of September 2014.
To be included in the Proposal
Resume and References
Narrative justification for ability to work with ultra-small
history/science/technology museum
Schedule of Deliverables with dates
Budget and budget justification
Electronic proposals:
PDF file(s) with your first initial and last name as part of the
filename and what that file contains (e.g. MSmithbudget, MSmithresume)
should be sent to [log in to unmask] with your last name and
Interpretive Plan Proposal in the subject line
Deadline: Midnight, January 4, 2013
Thank you,
Laurie A. Baty
[log in to unmask]
Deputy Director
National Capital Radio & Television Museum
Bowie, MD
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