I would concur that conducting the feasibility study, which would include
information on potential audiences in the geographic locale, is very
important. However, from our experience with projects in this phase, it is
crucial to include what we refer to as "vision renderings" which, through a
quick visual assessment, can provide potential funders and other
stakeholders, the necessary "information" in terms of an interpretive
approach that enables them to get a better understanding of your undertaking
and potentially foster buy-in (no pun intended) for your project....we have
found tremendous success with this approach and several projects have been
the recipients of both private and public funds.  Obviously, there needs to
be some sort of conceptual framework or narrative storyline from which the
renderings would be created.

Jo Ann Secor, Director of Museum Services
Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership
7 W 22nd Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10010
212 989-2624
www.skolnick.com 


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Tenuth, Jeff
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 7:53 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] New Science Center - Steps 1 thru 5?

I'm involved in a similar situation and you probably will find that it's
more involved and complex than intitially thought.  You may want to assemble
a board first and then hire a consultant to guide you through a feasibility
study.  Make sure the consultant understands your concept and mission
statements.  Feasibility studies can cost anywhere from a few thousand to
several tens of thousands of dollars.  But they do provide you with a look
at the needs of your community and the likelihood of your success.  On the
basis of that study and your concept/mission statements, you can then take
the "package" to funding sources for seed money.  That seed money will then
fund continued planning and the launch of a capital campaign.  A business
plan should also be initiated as soon as possible, but it may have to wait
until the feasibility study is complete.  A design firm can wait until the
capital campaign is underway.  
But you will need initial drawings sooner, rather than later.  You also may
want to flesh out ideas about content and include them in the package you
take to funding sources.  This is a fluid process and you can expect many
changes along the way.  

Jeff Tenuth
Indiana State Museum

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Joe Sciortino
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 3:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] New Science Center - Steps 1 thru 5?


Hi All -
I'm new to the listserv and new to this side of the museum world (have be=
en a visitor for decades).  I am helping a group that is in the very, very
initial phases of planning a new science center.  We have a "concept"
document that outlines our mission & purpose, a probable location and=  at
least one significant funding interest.  My basic questions is:  now what= ?

>From browsing the archives, I see that I should get familiar with 
>"Star=
ting
Right" by G. George & C. Sherrell-Leo.  I plan on purchasing on Amazo= n
after completing this post.

In the interim, in what order should they be pursuing the following activ=
ities:
1) Hire consultant for feasibility study/market study
2) Assemble Board
3) Hire design firm
4) Create Business Plan
5) Fundraise

The group is trying to do some or all of the above right now, but I'm
sensing some are more critical than others, chronologically speaking.  =


Thanks for your time,
Joe Sciortino
[log in to unmask]

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).