“Thanks to the excellent work of White Oak Associates, our professional museum planners, working with our staff, we are able to present you with the first draft of our Master Plan for the Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration. This comprehensive document takes us from where we are today through the open­ing of the Center, and provides significant detail on how the Center will operate.”

Notice to the Board of Trustees from Ted Sergi, President, Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration, Hartford, Connecticut

In addition to Strategic Master Plans, comprehensive planning documents have also been called Concept Development Plans and Strategic Business Plans.

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White Oak has considerable “relevant past performance,” as we specialize in writing Strategic Master Plans for museum reinventions, major projects and expansions, and have authored such foundational planning for:

• Canada Science & Technology Museum
• Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh)
• Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry (Charlestown)
• Children’s Museum of Denver
• Connecticut Science Center (Hartford)
• Exploration Place (Wichita)
• Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) (Tampa)
• Muzeo Anaheim (Community)
• National Cable Television Center and Museum
• National Coast Guard Museum (New London)

• Orlando Science Center (Post-opening)
• Peoria Riverfront Museum (History, Art, +)
• Petrosains, Kuala Lumpur
• Rochester Museum and Science Center
• Science Center of Iowa
• Science Museum of Virginia
• Stepping Stones Museum for Children (CT)
• TELUS Spark (Calgary)
• TELUS World of Science-Edmonton

Table of Contents (Full Menu of Chapters)

• Executive Summary
• Conceptual Framework
• Community Needs Assessment
• Vision and Values
• The Visitors, Brand Customers and Other Partners
• Community Service Objectives
• Learning Approach
• Summary Descriptions of Each Learning Service
• Visitor Services
• Exhibit Program and Museum Galleries
• Special Format Theater
• [Other Visitor-Based Venues]
• Mission-expanding Retail Services
• Visitor Support Food Service
• Program Services
• Learning Center Programs
• Outreach Programs
• Special Events Programs
• Learning Resource Production and Distribution
• Co-Production Function Rentals
• Web Programs
• [Other Learning Service Programs]
• Museum Practice
• Collections Policy
• Research & Scholarship
• Residency Programs
• Content Research and Evaluation Plan
• Community Relationship & Partner Programs
• Membership Programs
• Service Market
• Market Analysis
• Attendance Potential for the Visitor Venues
• Buyer Potential for the Program Services
• Principal Operating Assumptions
• Operations
• Site Selection Process
• Architectural and Systems Program
• Marketing Overview
• Pricing Policy Recommendations
• Operations and Staffing
• Operating Budgets
• Investment Plan
• Capital Schedule, Budget and Organization
• Development and Fund Raising Program
• Governance Plan
• Next Steps