Mr P.

Not to be unnecessarily pessimistic, but you have just described a perfect
recipe for a second failure. The examples would be multitudinous. (big word
for the day)

Why did the institution in question fail in the first place? Has that issue
been resolved yet?

A lack of appropriate storage, exhibit, work, and office space will only
generate more problems. I do not think it would help the institution or the
collection to start up in an inadequate situation with no support, only to
collapse once again.

Then again, some small institutions have managed to scrape their way clear
of the opening difficulties to become quite successful. I would personally
advise your clients to wait until they have lined up the requisite support
and space before reopening.

Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collections Manager
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
Wichita State University
(316)978-5850



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                                       Closed museums reopening? Possible?
                                       Advice Please!
             01/23/2004 02:40
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I'm currently the consultant for a museum which has been shut down for
over two years, and is hoping to re-establish itself.  It still has
control of the majority of the collection but the facility it wants to
move into is inappropriate(no storge space for one thing) and no local
funding.  I was wondering if anyone has heard of a museum in a similar
situation and what the results were.

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