Why is economic planning so vital to any new museum project?

What happens if you don’t do it? What is “dark tourism”? Why do economists think about audiences? Can a museum have “ROI”? Which is more important, a profitable museum event, or one that advances a museum’s mission? What can economics teach us about how to make our projects better?

James Stevens, AICP (Vice President, ConsultEcon, Inc.) joins host Jonathan Alger (Managing Partner, C&G Partners) to discuss “An Economic Planner’s Advice to Museums”.

Along the way: double-edged swords, vocal impersonations, and the Museum of Forks.

Talking Points:

1. Know your audiences (plural).
2. Be both curious and skeptical.
3. Formulate your “mission test”.
4. You’ll be able to take time, but not too much time.
5. Establish strict budgets and fundraising goals. Then change them.

How to Listen:

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-the-museum/id1674901311

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/6oP4QJR7yxv7Rs7VqIpI1G

Everywhere
https://makingthemuseum.transistor.fm/

Guest Bio:

James Stevens, AICP (Vice President, ConsultEcon, Inc.) is a business planner and management consultant with over 20 years of experience with development planning and analyzing the economics of new museums, major expansions and renovations, and new exhibition programs, among other types of visitor attractions and tourism destinations. He has completed hundreds of studies nationally and internationally for building projects large and small. He contributed a chapter to Sustainable Revenue for Museums: A Guide and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Cornell University and a master’s degree in city planning from MIT.

About MtM:

Making the Museum is hosted (podcast) and written (newsletter) by Jonathan Alger. This podcast is a project of C&G Partners | Design for Culture. Learn about the firm's creative work at: https://www.cgpartnersllc.com

Show Links:

James via Email
jstevens@consultecon.com

James on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philly-james-stevens/

ConsultEcon

https://www.consultecon.com/

Sustainable Revenue for Museums: A Guide

https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538112984/Sustainable-Revenue-for-Museums-A-Guide

MtM Show Contact:

https://www.makingthemuseum.com/contact
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanalger
alger@cgpartnersllc.com
https://www.cgpartnersllc.com

Newsletter:

Like the show? Try the newsletter. Making the Museum is also a one-minute email on exhibition planning and design for museum leaders, exhibition teams and visitor experience professionals. Subscribe here: https://www.makingthemuseum.com