Windsor Museum Feasibility Development Study: … Feasibility... · Windsor Museum Feasibility...
Transcript of Windsor Museum Feasibility Development Study: … Feasibility... · Windsor Museum Feasibility...
Windsor Museum Feasibility Development Study: PHASE 1 REPORT PRESENTATION
Lord Cultural Resources
In association with
Architecturra
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Objectives of the Feasibility Study and this Meeting
• Methodology to Date
• Planning Principles from Contextual and Market Analyses
• Key Findings and Recommendations:
• Concept and Site
• Collections and Facilities
• Visitor Experience
• Operations
• Next Steps
AGENDA
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Main objective to develop a plan that will increase likelihood
for implementation and sustainability of long-awaited new
Windsor Museum.
• Meeting intended to get feedback on key recommendations
before finalization of assumptions underlying financial
projections in next phase of study.
OBJECTIVES FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY AND MEETING
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Reviewed background information
• Facilitated Visioning/Assumptions Workshop with City
Officials and an Open House in November
• Conducted 46 additional interviews
• Analyzed experience of Canadian and US history museums
compared to other museum types
• Analyzed experience of existing main museums and related
institutions in Windsor and Essex County
• Analyzed existing and potential resident, school and tourist
markets
METHODOLOGY
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Analyzed current collections and operations of Windsor’s
Community Museum
• Toured potential sites and explored potential partnership
opportunities for the new Windsor Museum
• Developed recommendations associated with vision/concept
for the future Windsor Museum, as well as for site, facilities,
visitor experience and operations.
METHODOLOGY
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Control capital cost requirements in uncertain economic
times by limiting size of space and exploring partnership
opportunities
• Recognize need for enhanced visitor experience that will
lead to higher first time and repeat attendance and more
revenue generation
• Recognize that the stories of Windsor and Essex County need
not be limited to one facility and that there are existing
facilities and sites that already tell part of the story
• Control staffing levels and costs to contribute to ongoing
operational sustainability
KEY PLANNING PRINCIPLES
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• So many stories to tell. Core stories told at Windsor Museum and visitors encouraged to “learn more” at other facilities and sites. For example:
o Existing Black history and transportation sites
o Other historic houses and community museums
o Prohibition story at Canadian Club Brand Centre
• Rationale recognizes need to limit size, capital and operating costs of Windsor Museum and strengthen existing facilities.
• Recommend maintaining Francois Baby House as one of the “spokes” but with interpretation limited to earlier period
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: HUB AND SPOKE CONCEPT
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Considered several sites. Two best sites evaluated in detail:
o Downtown – Ground Floor of Art Gallery of Windsor
o Sandwich Towne - Jail Site
• Used nine criteria to compare the two sites. Evaluation points to Ground Floor of Art Gallery of Windsor:
o Lower Capital Cost Requirements
o Synergy with Nearby Land Uses
o Consistency with Hub and Spoke Concept
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: SITE EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATION
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Historic Sandwich Towne Interpretive Centre as a new “spoke” for hub and spoke concept
o Tell the Sandwich Story in Sandwich
o Adaptive Re-Use of Space to create exhibition on history and importance of Sandwich
o Location on retail street to attract visitors and expose to commercial businesses
o Modest capital costs for exhibitions funded by City of Windsor and other funders
o Modest operating costs as part of budget of Olde Sandwich Towne BIA
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: RECOGNITION OF THE HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF SANDWICH
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Collection comprises some 4,700 3-dimensional objects, about 180 of which are now on display
• Museum’s Library and Archives includes some 5,000 photos and 500 maps plus books, ephemera, newsprint and other archival material
• Current display density is very high - indicative of need to tell very large story in very small space.
• A significant increase in permanent collection display space will be required.
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: COLLECTION DISPLAY
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• 4,500 artifacts stored in 2,200 sq. ft. of basement of Francois Baby House. Storage areas slightly overfull.
• Existing collection requires about 2,700 sq. ft. of storage space
• The space plan will need to accommodate collection growth
• Recommend collection growth rate of about 100 artifacts per year to 2031.
• This yields a requirement for an additional 1,500 sq. ft. of collection storage space.
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: COLLECTION STORAGE
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: FACILITIES
Assumes City control of AGW building/site and recommends that Public Library on ground floor of the AGW be temporary to be replaced by the Windsor Museum. Rationale :
• Ground floor in AGW about 16,000 net sq. ft. Public Library needs some 40,000 net sq. ft., therefore an addition is required on City-owned land adjacent to AGW
• Construction costs for public libraries much lower than museum space
• AGW already museum quality space
• Opportunities for collaboration between AGW and Windsor Museum: space, charged admission, staffing, marketing, etc.
• Hub and spoke and retaining Francois Baby House as part of Windsor Museum limits space size/cost of Museum
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: FACILITIES
Zone Area NSF
Percentage of Total Area
Zone A: Public
Non-
Collections 6,305
39%
Zone B: Public
Collections 5,515 34%
Zone C: Non-
Public
Collections 2,375
15%
Zone D: Non-
Public Non-
Collections 1,915
12%
Total NSF 16,110
100%
AGW Ground Floor: Museum Requirement
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: FACILITIES
Total Museum Requirement: AGW Ground Floor plus Francois Baby House:
Zone
Area
NSF
Percentage of Total Area
Zone A 6,330 30%
Zone B 7,202 34%
Zone C 4,885 23%
Zone D 2,967 14% Total NSF
21,384 100%
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: FACILITIES
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Planning Principles
• Appeal to all ages; authentic; bring the community together;
creative and responsible use of technology; flexible and
adaptable; meaningful partnerships; multidisciplinary approach;
of interest to residents and tourists; meet curriculum needs;
relevancy
Exhibition Characteristics
• Accessible; dramatic; extend the experience; human element;
interactive; multisensory; orientation
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Core Messages
• Windsor has a unique history and has occupied a pivotal place in
Canadian and North American history.
• Windsor’s position as a border city has had a strong influence on
its development.
• Windsor has long been a centre of diversity.
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Exhibition Framework
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Selected Potential Exhibits
• Multi-layered Windsor Timeline
• Explore to Learn More! Map of
Essex County
• Who's Your (Great-Great-Grand-)
Daddy?
• French Folk Dancing
• Assembly-Line Challenge
• Spot the Smuggler
• Artifact Displays
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Selected Potential Exhibits
• Fur Trade Game
• On, Over, and Under the River!
• First Ford Photo Opportunity
• Science-Based Exhibits
• Future of Industrial Windsor
• Border City Stories
• Neighbourhood “Morphing”
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: VISITOR EXPERIENCE
• Children’s Gallery to attract families,
classes, daycares, camps
• Larger Temporary Exhibition Gallery
to expand offerings
• Expand Public and Educational
Programming to reach a wider
audience
• Build on and increase Community
Outreach
• Enhance Virtual Presence
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Separate governance from Art Gallery of Windsor but
collaborative opportunities
• Limited staff growth from 5.5 to 9.5 FTE, including shared
staff with AGW
• Introduction of admission charges and memberships
• Shared retail and joint marketing with AGW
• Linked web sites with spokes as part of hub and spoke
concept
• TBD whether Windsor Museum remains Windsor’s
Community Museum or becomes Windsor-Essex Museum
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: OPERATIONS
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
• Feedback
• Finalized Assumptions
• Capital Costs Estimate
• Attendance, Operating Revenue and Expense Projections
• Phase 2 Report
• Final Report Presentation to Council
NEXT STEPS IN FEASIBILITY STUDY
Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
Questions and Discussion
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