Steve,
Thanks for bringing up this topic. We've all been assessing the changed
environment, I'm sure.
Innovative ways to cut costs while continuing to serve our audiences is as
much a part of entrepeneurial thinking as creativity in finding new sources
of income. I would be interested to hear how others are doing this.
As a relative neophyte to the science center field (though a wizened veteran
of museums in general), I'm struck by the range of approaches to
exhibitions, from low-to-the-ground to extremely elaborate. There is a
commensurate range of budget sizes, whether evaluated by cost/ft2 or total
cost. I know there have been sessions upon sessions at conferences trying
to strike a balance between entertainment and education, virtual vs. "real,"
glitz vs. substance, but I think that straitened circumstances offer an
opportunity to evaluate new options.
Are there local advisors who can participate in exhibition development,
rather than winging in advisors from around the country to meet the
requirements of a grant? Of course, being here in the New York region, we
have leaders in almost any science and technology-related field you could
imagine, but there are pockets of expertise throughout the country. The
advantage of local advisors in smaller communities would extend beyond
savings to engaging local corporations as volunteers (as Steve described).
We are also exploring virtual meetings.
Are there in house sources of creativity and expertise that we are
overlooking in favor of contracted services? Is there an exhibition
maintainer who's been eager to collaborate on the design of an exhibit and
do the fabrication? Is there an in-house graphic designer whose been doing
Flash websites? Is there a fundraiser who knows his way around office
technology?
Are there existing exhibits that would serve our audiences well? If there
is a fabulous weather exhibit in Ontario, shouldn't we look seriously at
licensing and adapting it, rather than building anew? Do we all know what's
in those cheapbooks? Even the museums that prize innovation in their
exhibitions (as we surely do) incorporate evaluated and successful elements
from other exhibitions. This practice could be thoughtfully expanded at no
detriment to either our creativity or our educational missions.
The Hall is in the midst of a $68,000,000 expansion. In my current position
I'm raising money for capital and programs, and directing planning, the
expansion of our technology infrastructure, and the development (or
adaptation) of two exhibitions for our expansion (yes, I know it is a
strange mixture for one job...) Circumstances may dictate a radically
different approach than we originally conceived. Keeping our eye on the
audience and on the checkbook, we are currently either implementing or
considering some of these strategies.
Thanks again Steve. That's quite a mailing list you have there!
Eric Siegel
Director, Planning &
Program Development
New York Hall of Science
[log in to unmask]
www.nyhallsci.org
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stephen Brand [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 9:22 AM
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> Subject: Economic times
>
>
> Colleagues,
>
> It is obvious that the economic environment is and will continue to have a
> financial drain on our resources as not for profits. Our investments are
> not delivering, our corporate partners are having lay-offs and
> cost cutting
> measures that will impact on their giving, our government needs
> for military
> and anti-terrorist actions could start to erode government
> support even more
> than they have over the years. What can we do? Here are some
> thoughts? I
> thought they might be helpful.
>
> 1) Leverage non-financial support from corporate partners.
>
> a) ask to allow your employees to attend training programs in
> marketing, cost reduction, etc.
> b) become part of their buying power (travel, office supplies, power,
> recruitment, etc) -- I have tried this to great success.
> c) ask corporations for targeted volunteering events or months. How
> about asking a corporation to work on your floors (w/training) on weekend
> for a particular month and call it ?????? Volunteer month.
> d) tag onto their existing advertising
> e) ask their experts to volunteer their time to work with your
> professionals to help cut costs or leverage marketing or whatever
>
> 2) Take existing programs and explore new audiences that might
> pay for what
> you already have.
> a) provide training for corporate partners in areas that your team are
> experts in -- like computer training or design
> b) provide creative and product development support to your corporate
> partners for a fee -- the creativity in our organizations is
> amazing and we
> should talk with our partners about leveraging that talent in
> their product
> development, R&D, professional development etc
> c) in addition to you pounding the pavement to sell building rentals,
> provide some incentive to meeting planners and caterers to sell your
> building
> d) can you place your collections out in corporate or
> government offices
> in place of them purchasing their own art-work or office displays -- we
> certainly can be an less expensive alternative
>
> What else can we do during these times to spark innovative thinking and
> actions within our teams and boards to keep us vibrant?
>
> Just some initial thoughts.
>
> Stephen
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> Stephen Brand
> President and Chief Imagination Officer
> The New Enterprise Factory
> 1799 Akron Peninsula Road
> Akron, OH 44313
> 330-864-1518
> [log in to unmask]
> Www.enterprisingmuseums.com
>
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>
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>
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> Practices
>
>
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