A point of clarification. That short Exhibitionist article is brief to 
the point of useless, based on one main example ('a large state 
museum') and some ball-park numbers for other types of facilities.

The concept of 'cost per square foot' is not a very sound framework for 
estimating budgets across the sector. It could only make sense within a 
narrower organizational framework (e.g. a consistent mission, 
collection basis, programming intent, outreach, resources, etc.) But if 
those were all known, one probably would not need to ball-park an 
estimate based on square feet, either.

Many of the factors to overall cost are regionally distinctive 
subordinate costs, as well. For example, in the US, materials costs in 
Hawaii are much greater than in Seattle.

L.D.


On Mar 26, 2005, at 12:02 AM, MUSEUM-L automatic digest system wrote:

> Date:    Fri, 25 Mar 2005 08:49:01 -0500
> From:    Eugene Dillenburg <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Exhibit budgets
>
> Actually, NAME's journal, the Exhibitionist, ran a short article on 
> exhibit
> costs in the Spring 2002 issue.  Prices were quoted on a square-foot 
> basis.
>  Estimates ranged widely, as different types of exhibits have different
> needs.  (Interactives and AV add to costs.)
>
> It's hard to do a top-notch artifact-based exhibit for under $200-$250 
> per
> square foot.  You're planning to save money by reusing the furniture, 
> but
> you'll turn around and spend it on the AV.
>
> The issue of the Exhibitionist can be ordered at www.n-a-m-e.org.
>
> Eugene Dillenburg
> Exhibit Developer
> Science Museum of Minnesota
> [log in to unmask]

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