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Advisory committee approves Museum of Arts and Sciences scope change for temporary dinosaur exhibit
Summary
The ECHO advisory committee approved a scope change allowing the Museum of Arts and Sciences to host a six-month traveling dinosaur exhibit while planning long-term renovations. The museum says it will fund the exhibit without additional ECHO dollars and will issue impact reports after major shows.
The ECHO Advisory Committee approved a scope change request from the Museum of Arts and Sciences to host a temporary traveling dinosaur exhibit in its children's museum space.
Tabitha Schmidt, executive director of the Museum of Arts and Sciences, told the committee the exhibit is a rented, traveling show that will occupy the children's museum and portions of the Limerand Wing for about six months. Schmidt said the museum is funding the exhibit and no additional ECHO money is being requested: "There is no additional funding being paid for ECHO for this scope change. MOAS is covering all the funding for this project."
Why it matters: The museum has received previous ECHO grants and is altering the intended use for an approved project area while it develops a master plan. The temporary exhibit is intended to maintain public access and programming while the museum prepares a longer-term renovation.
Details from the meeting
- Scope and duration: The exhibit will be in place for roughly six months and will be a traveling, rented show. It will occupy the children's museum area and portions of the gallery wing the committee previously funded under ECHO.
- Funding and stewardship: Schmidt said the museum has been "a great steward of ECHO funds" and that the museum will cover all costs for the temporary exhibit. She said the museum will produce an impact report after the exhibition showing attendance, membership changes and visitor feedback.
- Program continuity: Staff and the museum confirmed field trips and school programs will continue during the exhibit, with minor curriculum adjustments. Schmidt said the exhibit is expected to increase attendance and membership while staff manage operational and conservation requirements set by the exhibit provider.
Vote and next steps
- Motion and vote: A committee member moved to accept the scope change and another seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote. Committee members expressed support and asked the museum to continue submitting impact reports and scope details as the master-plan process proceeds.
- Deliverables: The museum said it would prepare an impact report after the exhibit and include that information in future scope-change submissions related to its broader master plan work.
Context
Committee members asked whether any member of the committee had conflicts of interest involving the museum; no recusals were reported. The committee also discussed how the temporary show fits with long-term master-plan work and confirmed the museum's commitment to preserving the children's museum concept as part of the eventual renovation.
