Windsor Museum Feasibility Development Study: PHASE 1 REPORT PRESENTATION Lord Cultural Resources In association with Architecturra
AGENDA • 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 Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
OBJECTIVES FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY AND MEETING • 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 . Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
METHODOLOGY • 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 Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
METHODOLOGY • 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. Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
KEY PLANNING PRINCIPLES • 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 Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: HUB AND SPOKE CONCEPT • 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 Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: SITE EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATION • 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 Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: RECOGNITION OF THE HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF SANDWICH • 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 Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: COLLECTION DISPLAY • 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. Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: COLLECTION STORAGE • 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. 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 AGW Ground Floor: Museum Requirement Area Zone Percentage of Total Area NSF Zone A: Public Non- 39% Collections 6,305 Zone B: Public 34% Collections 5,515 Zone C: Non- Public 15% Collections 2,375 Zone D: Non- Public Non- 12% Collections 1,915 Total NSF 100% 16,110 Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: FACILITIES Total Museum Requirement: AGW Ground Floor plus Francois Baby House : Area Percentage of Total Area NSF Zone 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
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS: OPERATIONS • 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 Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
NEXT STEPS IN FEASIBILITY STUDY • Feedback • Finalized Assumptions • Capital Costs Estimate • Attendance, Operating Revenue and Expense Projections • Phase 2 Report • Final Report Presentation to Council Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
Questions and Discussion For written comments please email: culturalaffairs@city.windsor.on.ca Windsor Museum Development Feasibility Study
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