Open Forum

Hello. I have a small online-only vintage handbag museum. We looked into a storefront, but costs are too high and, frankly, the community in which we live doesn't support the arts, especially something as niche as fashion. So we acquired a 1961 Aristocrat Land Commander trailer and are turning it into a mobile museum. As we are funding this ourselves, it's been a slow process, but I was hoping someone had some advice to offer regarding mobile exhibits. Thank you!

Wendy,

All the power to you! You need to visually brand your trailer to take advantage of your being on the road self-advertising in-between venues. A vehicle wrap is the way to do this. I think the other thing that will be important is the pre-arrival publicity. Be sure to brand your museum clearly, from e-mail footer, to mailer, to vehicle graphics and roadside poster. I wonder if inflatables would be the right thing for you? Purses lend themselves to this technique.

Good luck,

Hello. I have a small online-only vintage handbag museum. We looked into a storefront, but costs are too high and, frankly, the community in which we live doesn't support the arts, especially something as niche as fashion. So we acquired a 1961 Aristocrat Land Commander trailer and are turning it into a mobile museum. As we are funding this ourselves, it's been a slow process, but I was hoping someone had some advice to offer regarding mobile exhibits. Thank you!

Hi Edward: Thank you so much for the input. We're considering our options in terms of the trailer's exterior and how we can make it highly visible. I also appreciate your suggestions in terms of branding. What is an inflatable? I am picturing those giant balloon animals on car dealerships!

Wendy,

All the power to you! You need to visually brand your trailer to take advantage of your being on the road self-advertising in-between venues. A vehicle wrap is the way to do this. I think the other thing that will be important is the pre-arrival publicity. Be sure to brand your museum clearly, from e-mail footer, to mailer, to vehicle graphics and roadside poster. I wonder if inflatables would be the right thing for you? Purses lend themselves to this technique.

Good luck,

Hello. I have a small online-only vintage handbag museum. We looked into a storefront, but costs are too high and, frankly, the community in which we live doesn't support the arts, especially something as niche as fashion. So we acquired a 1961 Aristocrat Land Commander trailer and are turning it into a mobile museum. As we are funding this ourselves, it's been a slow process, but I was hoping someone had some advice to offer regarding mobile exhibits. Thank you!

What a wonderful idea.  I truly hope this works out for you.  My concern is that the very visible exhibit might attract those who would take advantage.  I hope you have addressed security.  I would love to have your mobile museum in my community for a period but would be concerned about leaving the trailer in an unsecure area.  Looks like you will soon need a larger trailer soon too.

Hi Edward: Thank you so much for the input. We're considering our options in terms of the trailer's exterior and how we can make it highly visible. I also appreciate your suggestions in terms of branding. What is an inflatable? I am picturing those giant balloon animals on car dealerships!

Wendy,

All the power to you! You need to visually brand your trailer to take advantage of your being on the road self-advertising in-between venues. A vehicle wrap is the way to do this. I think the other thing that will be important is the pre-arrival publicity. Be sure to brand your museum clearly, from e-mail footer, to mailer, to vehicle graphics and roadside poster. I wonder if inflatables would be the right thing for you? Purses lend themselves to this technique.

Good luck,

Hello. I have a small online-only vintage handbag museum. We looked into a storefront, but costs are too high and, frankly, the community in which we live doesn't support the arts, especially something as niche as fashion. So we acquired a 1961 Aristocrat Land Commander trailer and are turning it into a mobile museum. As we are funding this ourselves, it's been a slow process, but I was hoping someone had some advice to offer regarding mobile exhibits. Thank you!

This is an interesting idea.  Here at home, we've seen several mobile truck/trailer-based businesses sprout within the past year that are not selling food.  Our latest is a mobile clothing boutique.  I think that this is definitely a response to the high rent/real estate costs.  Retail space is very expensive (especially downtown), and triple net leases are quite common. 

I like the idea of a mobile museum, and there is precedent for this.  You may want to talk with the people at The Natural History Museum (not the one in London), which is a mobile museum focused on climate change and environmental issues.  They've been exhibitors at recent AAM and ASTC conferences.  A friend and colleague of mine has been heavily involved with a mobile museum in Mongolia which travels to rural areas to educate communities about the paleontological resources of their country. 

      Cheers,

            Michael

What a wonderful idea.  I truly hope this works out for you.  My concern is that the very visible exhibit might attract those who would take advantage.  I hope you have addressed security.  I would love to have your mobile museum in my community for a period but would be concerned about leaving the trailer in an unsecure area.  Looks like you will soon need a larger trailer soon too.

Hi Edward: Thank you so much for the input. We're considering our options in terms of the trailer's exterior and how we can make it highly visible. I also appreciate your suggestions in terms of branding. What is an inflatable? I am picturing those giant balloon animals on car dealerships!

Wendy,

All the power to you! You need to visually brand your trailer to take advantage of your being on the road self-advertising in-between venues. A vehicle wrap is the way to do this. I think the other thing that will be important is the pre-arrival publicity. Be sure to brand your museum clearly, from e-mail footer, to mailer, to vehicle graphics and roadside poster. I wonder if inflatables would be the right thing for you? Purses lend themselves to this technique.

Good luck,

Hello. I have a small online-only vintage handbag museum. We looked into a storefront, but costs are too high and, frankly, the community in which we live doesn't support the arts, especially something as niche as fashion. So we acquired a 1961 Aristocrat Land Commander trailer and are turning it into a mobile museum. As we are funding this ourselves, it's been a slow process, but I was hoping someone had some advice to offer regarding mobile exhibits. Thank you!

Hi Kevin, Michael and Andrea:

I replied to each of you via the personal message system, but not sure if you got them, so I wanted to thank you again in the public portion of this discussion. I truly appreciate your advice and the contact info. I will be getting in touch with the organizations you referred.

Our museum is small-scale compared to most mobile museum exhibits, and we believe our audience would be people at car shows, "glamping" rallies and other one-day events. We wouldn't leave the trailer unattended, plus we have a large viewing window so that they don't have to come inside to see the exhibit. Purses on display will be portions of our much large collection, probably specific eras--1950s, 1960s, etc.--or materials--wicker, plastic, etc. We can tow the trailer with our own (modern) motorhome, should we need to stay longer at a site.

Ideally, it'd be great if event sponsors would pay us to attend so that their guests could see our museum for free, but we know this may not be likely, so we're considering creating a product to sell, such as reproduction vintage purses, in order to finance and maintain the trailer.

Progress is moving along quite nicely, thanks to my intrepid and creative contractor (my husband), so the marketing portion will have to be planned soon.

My best to all of you, and thanks again!

Wendy

This is an interesting idea.  Here at home, we've seen several mobile truck/trailer-based businesses sprout within the past year that are not selling food.  Our latest is a mobile clothing boutique.  I think that this is definitely a response to the high rent/real estate costs.  Retail space is very expensive (especially downtown), and triple net leases are quite common. 

I like the idea of a mobile museum, and there is precedent for this.  You may want to talk with the people at The Natural History Museum (not the one in London), which is a mobile museum focused on climate change and environmental issues.  They've been exhibitors at recent AAM and ASTC conferences.  A friend and colleague of mine has been heavily involved with a mobile museum in Mongolia which travels to rural areas to educate communities about the paleontological resources of their country. 

      Cheers,

            Michael

What a wonderful idea.  I truly hope this works out for you.  My concern is that the very visible exhibit might attract those who would take advantage.  I hope you have addressed security.  I would love to have your mobile museum in my community for a period but would be concerned about leaving the trailer in an unsecure area.  Looks like you will soon need a larger trailer soon too.

Hi Edward: Thank you so much for the input. We're considering our options in terms of the trailer's exterior and how we can make it highly visible. I also appreciate your suggestions in terms of branding. What is an inflatable? I am picturing those giant balloon animals on car dealerships!

Wendy,

All the power to you! You need to visually brand your trailer to take advantage of your being on the road self-advertising in-between venues. A vehicle wrap is the way to do this. I think the other thing that will be important is the pre-arrival publicity. Be sure to brand your museum clearly, from e-mail footer, to mailer, to vehicle graphics and roadside poster. I wonder if inflatables would be the right thing for you? Purses lend themselves to this technique.

Good luck,

Hello. I have a small online-only vintage handbag museum. We looked into a storefront, but costs are too high and, frankly, the community in which we live doesn't support the arts, especially something as niche as fashion. So we acquired a 1961 Aristocrat Land Commander trailer and are turning it into a mobile museum. As we are funding this ourselves, it's been a slow process, but I was hoping someone had some advice to offer regarding mobile exhibits. Thank you!

Wendy,

Your idea is great! i love the idea of getting our displays out where people can see them easily. 

Vehicle wraps as an idea for your trailer would be great. It is estimated that 30,000 to 70,000 daily see a vehicle. Just imagine if you had wrapped it as well! It would be great advertising, but depending on the artwork, it could also set the atmosphere of the exhibit. 

I would also look to see what retail or other museum venues may good as well. There is a group that puts on a vintage clothing sale at a local gym. They rent the space and then rent out tables. If people are going there to buy vintage, they would be thrilled to see the display. 

Good luck! Make sure you post where you are going to be displaying! I would love to see it myself!

Lynn

Hi Kevin, Michael and Andrea:

I replied to each of you via the personal message system, but not sure if you got them, so I wanted to thank you again in the public portion of this discussion. I truly appreciate your advice and the contact info. I will be getting in touch with the organizations you referred.

Our museum is small-scale compared to most mobile museum exhibits, and we believe our audience would be people at car shows, "glamping" rallies and other one-day events. We wouldn't leave the trailer unattended, plus we have a large viewing window so that they don't have to come inside to see the exhibit. Purses on display will be portions of our much large collection, probably specific eras--1950s, 1960s, etc.--or materials--wicker, plastic, etc. We can tow the trailer with our own (modern) motorhome, should we need to stay longer at a site.

Ideally, it'd be great if event sponsors would pay us to attend so that their guests could see our museum for free, but we know this may not be likely, so we're considering creating a product to sell, such as reproduction vintage purses, in order to finance and maintain the trailer.

Progress is moving along quite nicely, thanks to my intrepid and creative contractor (my husband), so the marketing portion will have to be planned soon.

My best to all of you, and thanks again!

Wendy

This is an interesting idea.  Here at home, we've seen several mobile truck/trailer-based businesses sprout within the past year that are not selling food.  Our latest is a mobile clothing boutique.  I think that this is definitely a response to the high rent/real estate costs.  Retail space is very expensive (especially downtown), and triple net leases are quite common. 

I like the idea of a mobile museum, and there is precedent for this.  You may want to talk with the people at The Natural History Museum (not the one in London), which is a mobile museum focused on climate change and environmental issues.  They've been exhibitors at recent AAM and ASTC conferences.  A friend and colleague of mine has been heavily involved with a mobile museum in Mongolia which travels to rural areas to educate communities about the paleontological resources of their country. 

      Cheers,

            Michael

What a wonderful idea.  I truly hope this works out for you.  My concern is that the very visible exhibit might attract those who would take advantage.  I hope you have addressed security.  I would love to have your mobile museum in my community for a period but would be concerned about leaving the trailer in an unsecure area.  Looks like you will soon need a larger trailer soon too.

Hi Edward: Thank you so much for the input. We're considering our options in terms of the trailer's exterior and how we can make it highly visible. I also appreciate your suggestions in terms of branding. What is an inflatable? I am picturing those giant balloon animals on car dealerships!

Wendy,

All the power to you! You need to visually brand your trailer to take advantage of your being on the road self-advertising in-between venues. A vehicle wrap is the way to do this. I think the other thing that will be important is the pre-arrival publicity. Be sure to brand your museum clearly, from e-mail footer, to mailer, to vehicle graphics and roadside poster. I wonder if inflatables would be the right thing for you? Purses lend themselves to this technique.

Good luck,

Hello. I have a small online-only vintage handbag museum. We looked into a storefront, but costs are too high and, frankly, the community in which we live doesn't support the arts, especially something as niche as fashion. So we acquired a 1961 Aristocrat Land Commander trailer and are turning it into a mobile museum. As we are funding this ourselves, it's been a slow process, but I was hoping someone had some advice to offer regarding mobile exhibits. Thank you!

Hello. I have a small online-only vintage handbag museum. We looked into a storefront, but costs are too high and, frankly, the community in which we live doesn't support the arts, especially something as niche as fashion. So we acquired a 1961 Aristocrat Land Commander trailer and are turning it into a mobile museum. As we are funding this ourselves, it's been a slow process, but I was hoping someone had some advice to offer regarding mobile exhibits. Thank you!