STRATEGIC MASTER PLAN PREVIEW MUSEUM MUSEUM OF SCIENCE FICTION Museum of Science Fiction: Strategic Master Plan Contact Any questions regarding this document should be directed to: Greg Viggiano Executive Director Museum of Science Fiction PO Box 88 Alexandria, VA 22313-0088 USA: EARTH: SOL: MILKY WAY [email protected] +1-703-629-4734 Museum of Science Fiction: Proprietary and Confidential 2 Museum of Science Fiction: Strategic Master Plan Document Change Control Date Version Author Change 01/09/2015 Draft .1 MG, RS Initial draft 01/16/2015 Draft .2 GRV. MS Formatting and updates 01/19/2015 Draft .3 JV, MS Updates GRV, JS, MS, 02/26/2015 Final 1.0 Final updates DB, HD Museum of Science Fiction: Proprietary and Confidential 3 Museum of Science Fiction: Strategic Master Plan Table of Contents BACKGROUND 5 MISSION 5 INTRODUCTION TO THE GENRE 5 What is science fiction 5 Why is science fiction important 6 Sub-Genres 6 Popular Media 7 Why is science fiction relevant 7 Why build a science fiction museum 7 STEM EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 8 Commitment to Education 8 PHASE 1: THE PREVIEW MUSEUM 8 Vision 8 Objectives 9 Target Audiences and Communities 9 Example Community 11 Overall Visitor Experience 11 Themes and Interpretive Threads Error! Bookmark not defined. Visitor Takeaways 12 Concept Exhibit Plan 12 ARCHITECTURE 17 Concept 17 Sociability 17 Program 19 Bubble Diagram 20 Floor Plan 20 Facade 20 Facade 21 Entry 21 APPENDICES 22 Appendix A: References Images 23 Museum of Science Fiction: Proprietary and Confidential 4 Museum of Science Fiction: Strategic Master Plan BACKGROUND The Museum of Science Fiction is a nonprofit organization, established in spring 2013. It is spearheaded by volunteers, unified by a shared vision to build a museum experience in Washington DC that does justice to the breadth and richness of science fiction, and inspires visitors to embrace the genre and its ideas. The Museum will show that science fiction can be used to encourage learning and stimulate the imagination. It will be a place for people of all ages to come together around a shared interest in science fiction. "The physical museum will provide a permanent center for community and culture, not just for science fiction fans but all who are fascinated by this era of onrushing change. The Museum will draw from those sharing an interest in the genre, from thoughtful explorations to joyful media adventures. These will include many thousands of visitors to a major tourism destination city, visitors whose passion for the future will add a wondrous layer upon Washington’s many sites already dedicated to the present and the past. The Museum will display science fiction artifacts, inform about its rich history, and host events – from lectures and film screenings, to game tournaments and corporate product introductions. The Museum will also strive to develop participatory activities through interactive exhibits, community involvement, and competitions. - David Brin, Advisory Board Member Museum of Science Fiction MISSION Education is central to the Museum’s mission. Science fiction presents an ideal device for sparking interest and spurring proficiency in STEM academic areas (science, technology, engineering, and math). However, Museum activities will go beyond STEM and include a broader focus to include the arts. The mission of the Museum of Science Fiction is to create a center of gravity where art and science are powered by imagination. Science fiction is the story of humanity: who we were, who we are, and who we dream to be. The Museum will present this story through displays, interactivity, and programs in ways that excite, educate, entertain, and create a new generation of dreamers. The Museum of Science Fiction fosters an environment of imagination; bridges the gap between the Arts and STEM learning; and preserves and celebrates the rich history of science fiction and its impact on society. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENRE What is science fiction Science fiction is often difficult to define because it encompasses many sub-genres and a wide variety of media. Ray Bradbury once described science fiction as “the art of the Museum of Science Fiction: Proprietary and Confidential 5 Museum of Science Fiction: Strategic Master Plan possible.” His broad definition alludes to the genre’s wide-ranging spectrum as it pertains to games, film, television, art, music, design, fashion, architecture, and literature. It offers a general and inclusive, rather than a narrow, exclusive understanding of science fiction. Why is science fiction important Through story, science fiction has the potential to transform, motivate, and educate. In one sense, science fiction is fun, but in another sense, it explores the themes of ethics and morality in evolving societies and inspires its audiences. The beginnings of science fiction are frequently debated. The first work of science fiction could date as far back as 170 AD, when Lucian of Samosata wrote a satirical adventure called A True History in which the character visits the moon by way of a giant waterspout. Others argue that Mary Shelley penned the genre’s first true work. No matter its official starting point, science fiction has served an important role in drawing others to the intersection of art and science. Science fiction is a device to explore ethical and moral issues that would otherwise be ignored or create too much controversy in mainstream dialogue 2013 Prospectus, Museum of Science Fiction Sub-Genres Notable sub-genres of science fiction along with significant works and authors: · Hard Science Fiction: Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, David Brin · Soft SF/ New Wave: Philip K. Dick, John Wyndham, Kurt Vonnegut, Inception, ET · YA science fiction: Hunger Games, The Maze Runner · Feminist science fiction: Margaret Atwood, Ursula Le Guin · Apocalyptic SF: Independence Day · Post-Apocalyptic SF: Mad Max, The Postman, Half-Life, Fallout, Planet of the Apes · Dystopian SF: V for Vendetta, 1984, Gattaca, Brave New World, Kurt Vonnegut, Children of Men · Space Opera: Frank Herbert, Foundation Trilogy, Star Wars series, Halo series · Space westerns: Firefly, Bravestarr, Cowboy Bebop, Borderlands · Cyberpunk: Neuromancer, Akira, Tron, The Matrix, Ready Player One · Steampunk: Steamboy, Wild Wild West, Paul Di Filippo, Snowpiercer · Biopunk: Paolo Bacigalupi, Bioshock, Resident Evil · Weird Fiction and New Weird: HP Lovecraft, China Mieville · Humor: Red Dwarf, Hitchhiker Guide, Futurama Museum of Science Fiction: Proprietary and Confidential 6 Museum of Science Fiction: Strategic Master Plan Popular Media Major types of science fiction media: · Video Games: Halo, Starcraft, Half-Life, Fallout, Riddick · Film, Television, and Radio: Metropolis, Star Wars, Inception, Blade Runner, Alien, Terminator, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Twilight Zone · Literature: Mary Shelley, HG Wells, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Dune · Comic books and graphic novels: Watchmen, Ghost in the Shell, Avengers · Music: Daft Punk, Kraftwerk, Pink Floyd, John Williams · Art and Animation: Transformers, Bionic Six, Akira, Appleseed · Fine Art: Bonestell, Fred Freeman, Chris Moore, Richard Powers, Jim Burns · Board Games: Twilight Imperium, Roborally, Android, Cosmic Encounter, Galaxy Trucker, Pandemic, Risk 2210 A.D. · Multicultural: Jules Verne, Juza Unno · Others: design, fashion, and architecture. Why is science fiction relevant Science fiction is no longer an obscure sub-culture. Major motion pictures and television programs have firmly established the genre in American and international pop culture. In film, Star Trek, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Alien each broke new conceptual ground and raised our collective imagination. The success of the film Avatar and the ongoing popularity of the annual San Diego Comic-Con convention further underscore the financial significance and mainstream acceptance of science fiction. Anecdotal statistics are compelling. Avatar was the first film to gross more than $2 billion. In 2012, San Diego Comic-Con attendance again surpassed 130,000 people for the fifth consecutive year; tickets, which cost up to $175, sold out in less than 90 minutes for next year’s event. Sustained popularity and public interest continue to grow. Why build a science fiction museum A physical museum will become a place to house the genre, providing a permanent center for the science fiction community and culture. It will be a place to display science fiction artifacts, to inform the community about the rich history of the genre, and to host social events centered around science fiction – from educational programs, lectures and film screenings, to video game tournaments and corporate product introductions. The Museum will also strive to develop participatory activities through interactive exhibits, community involvement, and competitions. A physical museum will be a place to not only introduce new fans to the genre, but also bring together different science fiction communities that may have otherwise never met. It will become an extension to regional science fiction events in the community, such as Awesome Con. Ultimately, the Museum of Science Fiction will become a center of gravity for science fiction in Washington, DC. Museum of Science Fiction: Proprietary and Confidential 7 Museum of Science Fiction: Strategic Master Plan STEM EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Recognizing innovation as an economic driver, President Obama launched the Educate to Innovate campaign in 2009,