HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 03/09/2006 MINUTES
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History ITR 271
Advisory Committee Meeting
March 9, 2006 •
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The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum's DeDietrich Conference Room (I' on
on Thursday, March 9'h. Members Present: Robert Hatherill, Randall Meredith,ThAs Diddle,
Linda Scott, and Linda Tomo.
The minutes of the February 2, 2006 meeting were approved as presented.
Chairman's remarks: Members were reminded to complete the open meetings act training.
Linda Tomo reported that she was unable to watch the video on-line because it was not
functioning properly.
Business:
a. Rick Stryker reported on Museum activities:
A Shoop's Grill mural is now on exhibit at the Federal Courthouse
Chip Jeffries completed the first visit working on the Visualized Concept Study
Wild Science week will include family programs daily during Spring Break
"Farm to Market"exhibit/programs will take place April 27—29 sponsored by the Junior
League, with the exhibit continuing through the following week
"The Ancestor's Land" curriculum guide CD was distributed to Corpus Christi schools
and is available on the Museum web site
The Friends funded banners and ads welcoming American Bowling Congress participants
The Museum Librarian position should be filled soon and Collection Manager
applications will be accepted through March 22
b. The Committee discussed the 501h anniversary of the Museum in 2007, suggesting various
components that might be included in a celebration:
Weekly events for the entire year including science demonstrations
Live performances by musical and dancing groups
Rededication of the Columbus ships
One major event
A special exhibit
A joint celebration with the City and CCISD as the two parent organizations the week
before school starts
Free day(s)
c. Committee members reviewed admission policies at a range of museums that cater to children
to compare how their admission policies might encourage greater access by children. A spread
sheet indicated that $21,264 in admission revenue came from 3,977 children ages 5 — 12 in 2005
while an additional 225 children paid $1,701 for pre-sold promotional tickets. 791 children were
admitted on Saturday mornings before Noon under the Museum's present weekly free admission
policy. Membership revenue, which funds the Museum exhibit and education programs through
the Friends, amounted to $28,781. The major incentive to purchase memberships is the free
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admission benefit with family memberships comprising most of the memberships sold. There
were three free days in 2005 that were widely publicized.
The committee members discussed whether a reduced or eliminated admittance fee for children
would significantly increase attendance and concluded that it would not. The consensus of those
present concluded that the fee for children did not comprise a serious barrier to access and
removing the barrier would not likely motivate families to come who would not otherwise visit
the Museum.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.