From destitute to dynamic:

1
From destitute to dynamic

• Two case studies in Virginia
• Thursday 31 May 2007, 16H00
• Jack Parry
• Interim Director
• Science Museum of Virginia

2
From destitute to dynamic

• The Science Museum of Virginia, headquarters in
  the former Union Station of Richmond, VA,
  operates multiple science center sites.

3
From destitute to dynamic

• The Science Museum of Virginia
• partially funded (43-48) by state tax dollars
• operates local science centers
• supported locally by 501.c.3 foundations
• has a charter to provide state-wide science
  education

Two case studies of local science centers
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From destitute to dynamic Case I - Nauticus

• Mission
• Re-defined the mission and theme
• writing a new Mission Statement,
• creating a Strategic Plan,
• changing the name Nauticus, The National
  Maritime Center to Nauticus
• Governance
• combined three separate governing boards into a
  single Board of Directors

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From destitute to dynamic Nauticus

• Strategic
• New Alliances
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  (NOAA) which included joint exhibits, educational
  programs, staff, and offices

6
From destitute to dynamic Nauticus

• Strategic
• Created ventures
• construction of Virginias only cruise ship
  facility,
• U.S. Navys Battleship, the USS Wisconsin

7
From destitute to dynamic Nauticus

• Strategic
• Organization
• exists as a department in the City of Norfolk
• Old Alliances
• Hampton Roads Naval Museum
• local school districts and universities

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From destitute to dynamic Nauticus

• Strategic
• New exhibit focus

9
From destitute to dynamic Case IIVirginia Air
and Space CenterHampton, Virginia
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From destitute to dynamic Case II VASC

• Mission
• Re-defined the mission and theme
• a new Mission Statement,
• a Strategic Plan,
• the name Virginia Air and Space Center and
  Hampton Roads History Center changed to
  Virginia Air and Space Center
• Governance
• combined two separate topical museum foci into a
  single theme for governing

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From destitute to dynamic Case II VASC

• Exhibits
• Re-purposed the exhibition theme
• Removed history section
• Provided for temporary exhibit gallery
• Provided for broadened topical venue for
  temporary exhibitions and IMAX films
• Programs
• Repositioned relationships with schools for broad
  science education programming

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From destitute to dynamic Case Studies

• In both case studies
• Change from special purpose history centers to
  local science center
• Local support other than tourism necessary
• Focus became more narrow
• Exhibits and Programs
• Repositioned relationships with schools for
  broader science education programming

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From destitute to dynamic Case Studies

• Lessons
• Review of Mission and Strategic planning is vital
• Dont wait for destitution!