Open Forum

Good Afternoon,
I'm currently the Operations Supervisor for a nature center and we are looking for ideas/suggestions for special events that would encourage visitation. We need ideas that are outside of the box, executable, and family friendly. Our budget and resources are at a minimum and I was hoping someone has had luck in this area. Thanks in advance!

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Lee Southard
MoSH - Memphis Museum of Science & History
Memphis TN
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Hello Lee,

It is very common for museums and other cultural institutions to, for example, have the museum open (open house) with music, food and beverages, bars, etc. sometimes ticketed, say monthly. Most of this stopped during the pandemic of course but I know has come back for some institutions. 

The museum can invite, young, old, members, non-members, potential donors, etc. It's a great way for the museum key staff to be able to interact with these attendees in a relaxed social environment. Generally, there is income from ticket sales, food and beverage commissions, etc. that pays the expenses of doing it and sometimes, creates new earned income if there is profitability. Some museums that may be able to provide input about what they did and are now doing including but are not limited to California Academy of Sciences, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. If you would like email introductions, please email me and (not through AAM like this) and happy to do so. 

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Art

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Art Manask
Founder/Principal
Art Manask Consulting
artmanask@gmail.com
818 358-3588
www.artmanaskconsulting.com
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Hello, Lee:

During the period of the pandemic when many people were more comfortable with outdoor activities, the Art Museum of WVU partnered with the Morgantown Public Library on a "Book Trail." The individual pages of a picture book were reproduced on inexpensive lawn signs and placed at intervals along the path of the museum's sculpture garden. Families and groups walked the path and read the book together as they came to each new page. You could easily add on some outdoor activities that relate to the book, maybe offer some hot chocolate. It was a great opportunity to cross-promote to each organizations followers/supporters. Best of luck with your programming!


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Todd Tubutis
Director
Art Museum of West Virginia University
Morgantown WV
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