Science Museum to open temp exhibit
It’s been a while since we reported anything on the NWA science museum front. Last we heard, the folks on the board we’re taking a look at a few of the proposed sites and performing feasability studies to determine the best location.
Now, according to The Democrat Gazette, while the studies are underway, the folks at Science Springs(When did they name the museum?) hope to open a temporary exhibit in the former Bank of America space on the square. Though no formal arrangements or partnerships have been formed at this point, the temporary exhibit would hopefully contain exhibits from the Smithsonian Museum as well as artifacts from the University of Arkansas’ defunct Science Museum.
Musuem officials feel that if residents of Northwest Arkansas can get a glimpse of what the museum would be like on a very small scale, it will build excitement over the possibilities of a full-fledged science museum.
I think they’re right. I’m getting excited just thinking about it. But I’m a geek, so take that for what it’s worth.
Of the three possible locations for the museum, Cave Springs is the only place that is publicly known. The other two locations are being kept secret. It’s all very hush, hush. Hopefully we’ll get word soon on the final location of the museum.
Now it’s time for a little bit of speculation. Feel free to throw in your own thoughts on this as well. Since the museum is planning on opening a small exhibit in Fayetteville(not Cave Springs or any other town in NWA, mind you) it seems to me that this could be an indicator that not only is Fayetteville on the “list of three” as I’m now calling it, but is, in fact, the front runner in the competition. I’d also like to add that I belive it was Mr. Green in the library with the candlestick.
While the plans for the temporary exhibit are in motion, it’s certainty is still up in the air. The museum has applied for $500,000 in grants which would cover one year of operation for the exhibit including rent, operations and exhibit costs. We’ve certainly got our fingers crossed in hopes of seeing this small exhibit become a reality… We’ve crossed everything else in hopes of landing the $80-$100 million dollar museum here in Fayetteville, where it belongs.
[Via The Democrat Gazette]
Comments
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Reader
January 6, 2009
Whoo Whoo!
scoop
January 6, 2009
The Morning News had it first … http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2009/01/02/news/010309fzscience.txt
Random person
January 6, 2009
I thought I remember hearing talk about them wanting to temporarily have it at the old Bank of America building (the first floor lobby) on the square.
Random person
January 6, 2009
There it is! I was thinking about that article scoop linked.
Amy
January 6, 2009
Cave Springs!?!? Who are they kidding… way too far out to attract the kind of patronage they will need. Most of the traffic that place sees is just passing by on the way to XNA. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had time to stop in at the local museum on my trip to the airport.
I believe that Fayetteville, being the “artsy” community in NWA, is the appropriate city for a museum (and best equipped to support it).
What an amazing opportunity to spread science in our area!!
Johnathan
January 6, 2009
This is awesome! The Arkansas Museum of Discovery and Mid America Museum are two of my favorite places. It will be totally sweet having one locally.
If anyone with the museum is reading, I’d love to volunteer!
Bubb Rubb
January 6, 2009
Maybe the Walton Arts Center on Dickson can be remodeled after they decide to move up to Rogers.
rcu
January 6, 2009
Fayetteville is definitely the place in NWA for a science museum. How can any other city around here even be in consideration?
Rebecca
January 10, 2009
I’d love to see the science museum in Fayetteville. It would provide a more balanced palette of choices for local and vacationing families, support our schools, strengthen the tourism industry — and hey, it would be cool, wouldn’t it? What do we need to do to encourage it? I’ll join Jonathon as a volunteer.