Josh Haney to Participate in Building Museums Symposium Panel Discussion
Join our team at this year鈥檚 Building Museums Symposium, presented by Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums. Principal and Global Architecture Leader, Josh Haney, AIA will participate in a panel discussion titled 鈥淲hat I Would鈥檝e Told My Younger Self About Building a Museum.鈥�
Building a museum is more than designing walls and curating artifacts; it鈥檚 about envisioning a living, evolving institution that connects with people. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History鈥檚听recent transformation teaches that conceptualizing a museum isn鈥檛 a linear journey.
Beginning with a discovery phase in 2019, the team navigated hundreds of virtual meetings, making critical decisions about content, design, and logistics, in the midst of a global pandemic. This project was a testament to the power of adaptability and collaboration among diverse teams, including architects, exhibit designers, and community members. Creating meaningful, relevant exhibits is more than aesthetic design; it is about understanding the science, connecting it to the local community, and reflecting on humanity鈥檚 impact on nature. The hurdles faced鈥� from aligning vision with budget constraints to engaging stakeholders at every level 鈥� underscored the importance of flexibility and resilience. Ultimately, a museum isn鈥檛 just a building; it鈥檚 a dynamic space that invites inquiry and inspires action, forever evolving to remain relevant and impactful.
Learning objectives include:
- Understanding that any significant project requires strong leadership to drive the vision and strategy. Learn how having someone at the helm is crucial to navigating challenges, setting priorities, and ensuring alignment with broader goals, especially when addressing complex issues such as climate change and science literacy.
- Recognizing the importance of a clear and compelling vision that incorporates a community-centered approach, builds trust, and emphasizes humanity鈥檚 impact on the natural world. Effective leaders integrate current knowledge and research into public-facing efforts to foster understanding and inspire action.
- Exploring how architecture and exhibit design intertwine to create engaging and educational environments that align with the visionary approach.
- Understanding how well-designed spaces can facilitate inquiry-based learning and enhance visitor experiences, making complex topics more accessible and relevant.
- Identifying the crucial role of exhibit and experience design in effectively communicating complex concepts and engaging diverse audiences. Learn how using authentic elements, such as real specimens and artifacts, can create compelling narratives that promote scientific literacy.
- Understanding strategies for designing experiences that connect visitors emotionally and intellectually to themes like nature, science, and the human role in sustainability.
- Gaining insight into the financial planning and funding strategies essential for supporting transformative projects. This includes understanding budget constraints, development efforts, and securing funding to achieve educational and community goals.
- Learning how financial considerations influence the scope and scale of projects, from the quality of exhibits to the reach of educational programming.
Josh will be accompanied by co-panelists including Sonia M. Winner, President & CEO at Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Dr. Gavin Svenson, Chief Science Officer at Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Michael Devine, Chief Strategy Officer at G&A, and Dr. Caitlin Colleary, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology. The discussion will be moderated by Robin Reid, Senior Integrated Producer at G&A.
The panel discussion will be held on the third day of the conference, Friday, March 7, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
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