Meeting of the Board of Regents | June 2008
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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 |
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TO: |
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FROM: |
Jeffrey Cannell |
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SUBJECT: |
Museum Gallery Renewal and Stewardship Collections Facility
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DATE: |
June 4, 2008
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STRATEGIC GOAL: |
4, 5
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AUTHORIZATION(S): |
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SUMMARY
Issue for Discussion
The Museum Gallery renewal has begun with planning the exhibitions, which will open in 2010. The project is moving forward: Master planning of all galleries and exhibition development for Natural History, Human History and Native Peoples galleries.
At your meeting, we will update you on activities related to both the Gallery Renewal and the Stewardship Collections Facility and seek your guidance on issues associated with the projects.
Reason(s) for Consideration
Endorsement of the overall direction and scope of the Museum gallery renewals and stewardship facility plan.
Proposed Handling
The Regents Cultural Education Trusteeship Committee will oversee the renewal of the Museum galleries and report periodically to the full Board. The Committee will also make recommendations on the renewal of the Museum to the Cultural Education Trust Board.
Background Information
The 2006-2007 budget included $20 million to make the collections of the Museum, Archives and Library more accessible. The 2008-2009 budget instead makes the funds available as a mix of capital ($15 million) and CE Fund ($5 million). The proposed galleries will utilize our collections to tell a rich narrative about New York. Exhibit development and planning are well underway. In the 2007-2008 executive budget, an additional $60 million in capital funding was made available for the construction of a new Collection Stewardship Facility replacing an earlier $20 million appropriation. These funds will initiate the first phase of construction of a multi-phased approach to re-house our collections and eventually our research labs.
The legislation authorizing these funds called for the establishment of a five- member Cultural Education Trust Board to oversee the gallery renewal and development of the stewardship facility. The first meeting of the Trust Board is scheduled to be held on June 13, 2008. In anticipation, the Office of Cultural Education has collaborated with the Office of General Services on background work for the procurement of land for the new Stewardship Facility and has worked with Gallagher Associates to do preliminary gallery renewal planning.
Recommendation
Recommend endorsement of the overall direction and scope of the Museum gallery renewals and stewardship facility plan.
Timetable for Implementation
Gallery Renewal:
Museum Gallery Master Plan: Complete in December 2007
Natural History Gallery opens May 2010
Native Peoples of New York Expansion opens June 2010
The Empire State opens July 2010