The Museum Building Committee 

James Bailey
Gary Baugh
Beverly Beeton
Brian Davies
Julie Decker
Terry Dittman
Duane Heyman
Cliff Hitchins
Andrew H. J. Kwon
Donna Matthews
Rick Mystrom
Gloria O’Neill
Henry Penney
Bill Penrose
Ed Rasmuson
Chris Swalling
Patricia B. Wolf (ex-officio), Museum Director
John Rodda, Director (ex-officio)
Sarah Barton, Project Advisor
Museum Building Committee
Program Statement
7 August 2003


Table of Contents
1.	The Purpose of this Document	1
2.	The Museum Mission	1
3.	The Goals of the New Museum	1
4.	Visitor Focus	2
5.	The Program Plan	2
6.	The Integration Concept	2
6.1	The Arctic Studies Center	3
6.2	The Imaginarium/Science	4
7.	Exhibitions	5
7.1	Permanent Exhibitions	5
7.2	Temporary Exhibitions	10
7.3	Community Gallery	11
8.	Collections	11
9.	Library/Archives	12
9.1	Library and Archives	12
9.2	Multi-Media Resources (Electronic Outreach)	13
10.	Educational Programs and Facilities	13
10.1	The Round Room	14
10.2	Auditorium	14
10.3	Classrooms, Galleries and Outreach for School Programs	14
10.4	Classrooms, Seminar Space and Multimedia Spaces for Adults	15
11.	Visitor Services	16
11.1	Image and Orientation	16
11.2	Museum Retail Shops	17
11.3	Museum Cafe	17
11.4	Public Gathering Space	17
11.5	Parking	18
12.	Security	18
13.	Administration	18
14.	Storage, Workspace and Satellite	19
15.	Conclusions: Outcomes	20
16.	Conclusions: Recommendations for Future Actions	20
16.1	Public Process and Museum Building Committee Review	20
16.2	Program Development	21
16.3	Budget and Operations	21
16.4	Governance and Agreements	22
17.	Appendix	22
17.1	Program Matrix	22
17.2	Programming Analysis (Floor Plans)	22
1.	The Purpose of this Document
This Program Statement for the new Museum was prepared by the Program Subcommittee for presentation to the Museum Building Committee (MBC). It incorporates discussions with the Museum Family, volunteers, and staff, outside experts and the community from February through July 2003. This work is based on the Lord Cultural Resources Report of 1999, and includes intensive meetings and interviews in-house, as well as a Science Charrette, Arts Gatherings, and presentations by the Boards of Cook Inlet Historical Society, The Anchorage Museum Association and The Imaginarium, and the staffs of the Museum, the Arctic Studies Center, and The Imaginarium. The document speaks to the qualitative aspects of the program and recommendations for future actions, and is accompanied by a quantitative program matrix and floor plans noting existing space allocations, those from the Lord Report of 1999, and current staff/committee recommendations. This document marks the beginning of the next phase of programmatic work with the newly selected design team.
2.	The Museum Mission
The Anchorage Museum of History and Art (the Museum) at the Rasmuson Center is a lifelong informal educational center for the community and the state. Its mission is:
a.	To collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret materials which illustrate the art, history and science of Alaska and the circumpolar North;
b.	To maintain an active and diverse exhibition program which acquaints the community with the global spectrum of human artistic, cultural and scientific expression;
c.	To provide a major cultural center for Anchorage where the community and its visitors meet, create, learn and participate in the Museum programs and activities; and,
d.	To stimulate the activities of a creative population of artists, historians, anthropologists, scientists and other allied professionals.

By demonstration, leadership, and education, the Museum endeavors to serve the widest possible audience and to work with groups, individuals and organizations which share a common interest in cultural, educational, and scientific activities. (This mission was approved by the Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Commission on July 21, 1999.)
3.	The Goals of the New Museum
Lord Cultural Resources refined the goals of the new Museum in meetings with key stakeholders, staff and community representatives. Based on that work, the recommended goals include:
e.	Tell the Alaska Story in art, history, and science.
f.	Include the Arctic Studies Center and The Imaginarium.
g.	Build a destination museum.
h.	Upgrade use of technology to appropriate levels.
i.	Exercise educational leadership and intellectual collaboration.
j.	Enhance function as a community center.
k.	Improve existing operations and facility deficiencies.
l.	Maximize overall efficiency through a philosophy of managing limited resources.
4.	Visitor Focus
Cultivation of a broader constituency within the community is critical to a successful institution. Anchorage is a complex and diverse community. The new Museum will engage a significant cross-section of the community in exhibits and programs, so that the institution is accessible, respected and valued by all segments of the community. Development of a satellite presence in the Mt. View Arts and Cultural District; expansion of statewide outreach for schools and rural communities; the new Community Gallery; increased interactive education; strengthening the connections between youth and adults; addition of ethnographic collections from the Smithsonian; the inclusion of science and The Imaginarium and other steps will support this aim. As a good institutional citizen, the Anchorage Museum strives to focus on the visitor experience and support the basic human needs which were articulated by the Science Museum of Minnesota: comfort; orientation; welcome and belonging; enjoyment; socializing; respect; communication; learning; choice and control; challenge and confidence; and, revitalization.
5.	The Program Plan
The new Anchorage Museum includes an overall programmatic expansion to broaden and enrich the visitor experience through basic guiding principles: stimulate curiosity and inspire learning; provide leadership and support to other institutions in Alaska; build synergy without duplicating related Alaska institutions; maintain public trust through development of a sustainable and resourceful institution; respond to the merging of the public sector and private entrepreneurial cultures; cultivate a diverse multigenerational audience; and, maintain accessibility to the community. Program priorities are listed below.
m.	Integrate art, history and science in exhibits, programs, outreach and architecture to tell the Alaska Story;
n.	Enrich the experience and enjoyment of Alaska art; enhance the presentation of Alaska history; increase accessibility to Alaska ethnography with the Arctic Studies Center; engage the visitor in the sciences and Alaska phenomena with the inclusion of The Imaginarium;
o.	Emphasize “learning by doing”, to strengthen the connections among families, children and multi-generational learners of all ages;
p.	Correct existing functional deficiencies;
q.	Provide a new outdoor sculpture garden and improved visitor amenities; 
r.	Recognize that the institution is exhibitions-oriented in art, history; and science and also collections-focused in art and history;
s.	Design the new facility to meet basic operational needs and maintain program integrity.
6.	The Integration Concept 
A key intent of the new Museum is to provide a seamless visitor experience, offering access to the richness of the Alaska Story through art, history, and science. To achieve this broadened visitor experience, it is important to conceptualize the new Anchorage Museum as an integrated facility, merging the institutions of the Arctic Studies Center, The Imaginarium, and the existing Anchorage Museum of History and Art together under one roof within one exhibition and education program. The concept of integration also applies to the connectivity of the disciplines of History, Art, and Science facilitated through the Exhibitions, Collections, Education, Library and Archives, and Visitor Services. This integration should be manifested in the architecture itself.
Thematic development is key to integration at all levels: institution, administration, culture, architecture, exhibitions and programs.  The design of the new institution and its physical facility should require, emphasize and reflect an integrated approach to the visitor experience. Potential themes might be: adaptation, movement, scale. Any of these could explore the impacts of the extremes of climate, light, time, distance on the people and land of Alaska from the perspective of art, history and science. All would allow the integrity of each discipline to be maintained while building the rich network of connections to other disciplines.
There is potential now for interim exploration of integration through collaborative multidisciplinary exhibitions, and enhancement of existing programs in history, art and science. The “Sue” exhibit is one example of linking educational programs, enterprise and staffs of the Museum and The Imaginarium. Multidisciplinary exhibit teams can employ guest curators and use existing staff expertise with input from specialist advisory groups. This potential will be enhanced with the staff additions of Curators of History, Art and Science.
A review of the institutional relationships sets the context. The Anchorage Museum of History and Art has manifested the voices of history and art for 35 years, with the input of groups like the Cook Inlet Historical Society and arts groups statewide and nationally. Permanent exhibits such as the Alaska Gallery (history and ethnography), the Sydney Laurence Gallery (art) and Contemporary Native Alaska Art Gallery, as well as temporary exhibit spaces, annual shows and prominent collections in Alaska Art and historical photographs have demonstrated the mission to exhibit and interpret both the history and art of Alaska. The missions of the Arctic Studies Center and The Imaginarium are aligned with the new Museum’s integrated vision, spaces and programs.
The strong unifying context and sense of place of Alaska is the essence of the new Museum. The inclusion of art, history and science in integrated exhibits, programs and architecture is perceived by Outside museum professionals as pioneering and exciting. 
6.1	The Arctic Studies Center 
The Alaska Office of the Arctic Studies Center (ASC) was established at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art in 1992 under special agreements among the Museum, the Municipality of Anchorage and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Negotiations are in process with the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution to establish a similar collaboration.
As a center interested in Alaska and the circumpolar North, the Arctic Studies Center focuses on the following main program elements:
6.1.1	Development of collaborative study and educational programs on Alaska and the circumpolar North that involve Alaskan Native scholars, students, and artists. This program area demands specialized Museum study space and normal seminar classroom space; some will be dedicated ASC space (e.g. an archaeology lab) and some will be shared space (seminar rooms, library, loading docks, conservation labs). In the expanded Museum, ASC collection storage and display space must be separate from the Museum collections space and must be under the control of ASC staff as prescribed by the Smithsonian agreements. 
6.1.2	Augmenting cultural resources by bringing back to Alaska older ethnographic artifact collections from the Smithsonian Institution on long-term rotating loans. The selection and preparation process for these artifacts will include 1,000 items from the National Museum of Natural History and 1,000 artifacts on loan from the National Museum of the American Indian. Conservation and preparation for this transfer will take place in Washington, D.C. over the next five years so that all of the items can come up in one batch when the new exhibit and storage spaces are ready for them. One role of this program is to facilitate repatriation and transfer of artifacts to cultural institutions statewide.
6.1.3	Instituting a thematic exhibition that will complement the Museum’s archaeological and ethnographic exhibits (now in the Alaska Gallery). The exhibition will include: an area for long-term displays of culturally and artistically important Alaska artifacts from the Smithsonian Institution; a smaller area for changing exhibitions which will highlight current research in Alaska cultural studies and archaeology, with an emphasis on dialogue and discovery; and, a study gallery which would display representative groups of artifacts in a "visible storage" or "study storage" format.
6.2	The Imaginarium/Science 
The Imaginarium has been an exciting and successful Anchorage institution since 1987. It is oriented toward reaching all sectors of society, especially families and children with exhibits and programs introducing the wonder of physical and natural science. Integration of The Imaginarium is a significant new direction for the Museum. It will expand the constituency, bring the opportunity to integrate science into the exhibits, and help to develop interactive education programs in the new Museum.
The Imaginarium is currently leasing approximately 176,000 sf of space including some off-site offices and storage and has been considering its own need for expansion. The Imaginarium has been searching for new space where it can find a permanent home, and can expand its programs. As a stable, successful non-profit organization, The Imaginarium has demonstrated its importance as an educational resource to the people of Alaska. Attendance at The Imaginarium is about 104,000 visitors annually, of which 12-13,000 are in school groups. Attendance is spread over the year, with July and August being median months, and peak months being October and March. Significant outreach brings the programs to many rural communities statewide. There are currently 26 staff and 40-100 active volunteers including a smaller group of volunteers who are active as science facilitators or docents. Volunteers average 8-12 a day, using 400 sf of space.
Collaborating with the Museum in a purpose-built space with access to improved exhibition design and production facilities would allow The Imaginarium to expand and improve exhibition design quality and deliver richer programs. The Imaginarium visitors would benefit from the exposure to history and art, and integrated exhibits. Science exhibits are discussed under Exhibitions. Science programs are covered in the Education section. Science will also enhance the Enterprise and Visitor Services functions with the addition of a children’s retail area. 
The relationship between The Imaginarium and the Museum will benefit the new Museum by:
6.2.1	Providing a broader visitor experience and Museum opportunity;
6.2.2	Attracting a new audience and wider constituency by increasing the critical mass of experiences that the Museum has to offer;
6.2.3	Complementing the strong summer tourist attendance with summer attractions for residents and Alaska visitors, and a more balanced resident attendance year-round;
6.2.4	Strengthening appeal to the youth, family and multigenerational audience;
6.2.5	Integrating science with exhibits and programs in history and art;
6.2.6	Collaborating on integrated exhibitions over the 3-5 year planning period and beyond;
6.2.7	Enhancing exhibits and programs with the significant addition of interactive, hands-on science center exhibits and activities.
7.	Exhibitions
Exhibitions are a primary public component of the Museum. The expansion of the Anchorage Museum and the addition of the Arctic Studies Center and The Imaginarium presents significant exhibition-related opportunities for the new Museum. An integrated exhibition program will directly broaden and enrich the visitor experience. To maximize the benefits of an integrated approach, and to reflect contemporary exhibition considerations, the following exhibition philosophy has been developed. Exhibitions at the new Museum will:
t.	Stimulate curiosity and inspire learning using multiple learning approaches.
u.	Be developed and operated with integrated teams of experts in art, history and science. 
v.	Use authentic items or “real things” when possible.
w.	Incorporate contemporary communications and education philosophy and design, using interactivity and multi-sensory immersion when appropriate.
x.	Be accessible to diverse audiences of all ages.
y.	Experiment with integration in Temporary Exhibits as a tool for prototyping and evaluating effectiveness of interdisciplinary exhibits and programs. 
z.	Design Permanent Exhibits with a strategy for renewal of activities and educational programming to provide dynamism and responsiveness to current events.
aa.	Focus intensely on a few subjects and not presume to cover all topics in depth. 

7.1	Permanent Exhibitions
Although discipline integration is a goal for the new Museum, separate galleries focusing on each discipline in the Museum’s mission are seen as valuable permanent installations. Long-term exhibition gallery areas in history, science and art are envisioned for the new Museum. These exhibits are refreshed and portions replaced as needed. Where appropriate, an interpretive network of labels, online linkages, tours, activities and other programming will integrate the three disciplines, as will objects and displays. 
Environmental controls are needed in the permanent and temporary galleries and collections spaces, except for some of those areas restricted to science exhibits. The cost to upgrade permanent galleries and collections spaces within the existing building should be prepared and considered separately. Good stewardship and requirements of lending institutions require that temporary exhibition galleries include environmental controls. Floors in all galleries need to be able to support use of heavy equipment. 
Activity spaces will be associated with the permanent galleries to support independent discovery by learners of all ages. These spaces will contain computer terminals, relevant texts and activity kits. 
7.1.1	Art
7.1.1.a.	The Art of Alaska
Art from the Museum’s collection is currently installed thematically (e.g., “Early Exploration”, “Life in the North”, “Landscapes”) in the Art of the North Galleries. The Museum’s collection of contemporary Native art is similarly installed in Gallery 7. Galleries 5 and 6 are used for the Points of View exhibitions, which are annual guest-curated selections of works from the permanent collection. 


The art of the collection ranges from older, traditional works best seen in formal, quiet contemplative settings, to an increasing number of contemporary works in a wide variety of media that are designed to challenge and stimulate the audience. In the new Museum, the spaces for the exhibition of works from the permanent collection will be modified and expanded in total area to include a wider range of display options, varying gallery sizes, adjustable lighting, wall coverings and media suitability.
In order to properly display the variety of artwork that is currently held within the permanent collection, and to anticipate the continued growth of the collection in all types of media, gallery spaces will range from large, open flexible spaces to smaller, more intimate galleries as budget allows. These smaller galleries not only enhance the aesthetic qualities of smaller works, they also allow the possibility of smaller, more focused exhibitions highlighting a medium, an artist, or a particular theme or subject. 
Photography is an important part of the permanent art collection and archival holdings. These collections and other temporary exhibits would become more accessible with a gallery specifically designed for the display of photography; perhaps a gallery that also serves as a hallway. Particularly challenging will be the installation of contemporary works, many of which may include electronic, mechanical, or ephemeral elements. Such installations require galleries with minimal or flexible walls, floors, and lighting systems. While it is always difficult to anticipate the new media frontiers in art, it will be important for the new Museum facility to build flexibility into some of its permanent display space to accommodate and to encourage the growth of the collection in new media.
Only 10% of the permanent art collection is displayed at one time in the current facility. The Museum’s art galleries will be modified and expanded so that more of the works now in storage can be on display. 
7.1.1.b.	Public Art 
The Museum will continue to administer the Municipality’s 1% for Art program, which places works of art in new public buildings and conserves this art heritage for all Alaskans. This program is governed by Municipal Ordinance 7.40, which designates that 1% of the construction costs of each public building or facility be set aside for artwork and assigns the administration of the 1% program to the Museum. The 1% art collection and the Museum’s art collection are natural partners in representing the best of Alaska art, with the 1% for Art collection also including works that have been commissioned from artists outside the State. The 1% for Art collection, which numbers more than 300 works at present, is exhibited throughout the Municipality, extending the reach of the Museum beyond its walls. 
In addition to the original works of art, the 1% for Art program accessions and preserves the artists’ drawings and maquettes. Museum space is needed for the permanent storage of these materials, as well as for the slide registry of artists’ works that the program maintains and the program’s permanent files. Other program space needs include an area for the temporary storage of models submitted for 1% competitions, office space for the coordinator and an assistant, and meeting space for 1% for Art selection juries and Public Art Committee meetings.  
7.1.1.c.	Outdoor Art - The Sculpture Garden/Plaza
The display of large sculptural works of art outdoors is part of the expansion project. Outdoor space will be an amenity for visitors to and residents of Anchorage, providing a sculptural landscape under snow, a venue for casual seating with brilliant annual planting in summer, and the right setting in which to view a very special building. Consideration could be given to a rooftop outdoor sculpture garden. Café and public spaces should be adjacent to this feature. 
The Sculpture Garden could be a joint project of the Museum, the 1 % for Art program, and the MOA Department of Parks and Recreation. Selected or specially commissioned art works could be funded and maintained by the building project and the Municipality through 1 % for Art. Parks and Recreation could cooperate with the building architect and the landscape architect to develop winter/summer garden designs to be maintained by the Municipality.
7.1.2	History and Ethnography
7.1.2.a.	The Alaska Gallery
The Alaska Gallery will be redesigned to tell the history of Alaska using contemporary exhibition techniques, adding newly acquired specimens and artifacts, and providing interactive and audiovisual elements. The latter may include audio-visual viewing areas and multi-media resource centers with computer kiosks at intervals throughout the Gallery. The scope of this gallery will range from the archaeology of prehistoric Alaska and its Native and other ethnic traditions to contemporary scientific, industrial and economic developments. A specific section on the history of Anchorage will be included. A recommendation is to use a “posthole” approach with deep coverage in a few areas, rather than trying to cover all of time. This should be set within a balancing context that establishes chronology. The function of this gallery is to provide a sense of place, time and cultural context based on the use of “real” or authentic objects. This gallery will use contemporary exhibition design allowing maximum visitor control of the experience and encouraging access to different segments. 
7.1.2.b.	The Arctic Studies Center 
The Arctic Studies Center galleries may house up to 2,000 ethnographic artifacts to be borrowed on long-term loan from the Smithsonian Institution: 1,000 from the Anthropology Department of the National Museum of Natural History, and 1,000 from the National Museum of the American Indian (agreement pending). The galleries, of approximately 8,000 square feet, will be comprised of a major exhibition gallery for combined ethnographic thematic exhibits, and a visible storage Study Gallery.
The exhibition gallery will present a thematic exploration of artifacts in the cultural context of Alaska's Native peoples. It will be object-centered, letting each item be the key to detailed information provided by Native Elders via video kiosks, about how the object was made and used in traditional society. Each object will have a reference number linked to further extensive background information. 
The visible storage Study Gallery will display artifacts from various Alaska Native cultures, which may be examined in the cases and in some cases may be available for examination under curatorial supervision at tables adjacent to the visible storage area. These tables will also provide books and computer work stations, as well as a desk and classroom area for a Study Gallery supervisor, who will assist interested visitors This area might also include a small area for viewing introductory films and videos. The Study Gallery will be linked with the Museum's own Library and Archives, which is to be enriched by the transfer of collections of books and documents from the Smithsonian. These spaces do not need to be adjacent, as they will be networked electronically.
It is recommended the separate Museum Alaska Gallery and ASC collections, curatorial, and collections management space be proximate and closely interconnecting; that the ASC thematic galleries relate electronically and spatially with the "Alaska Gallery” which tells the story of Alaska's Native peoples and ethnic traditions; and, that the ASC visible storage study gallery should serve both areas for visitors who wish to pursue their interest from the thematic introductory exhibits to the systematic visible storage areas presenting the entire range of the Smithsonian collections.
7.1.3	Science and Natural History
7.1.3.a.	Science of the North 
The main program focus of The Imaginarium now is hands-on exhibits with a high degree of state-of-the-art multi-sensory design, This gallery will present a series of immersive environments that interpret scientific phenomena specific to Alaska, such as the aurora borealis, marine life, glaciers, earthquakes, volcanoes, oil, gold-mining, arctic ecology, watersheds, seasons and weather, and Native science. 
7.1.4	Discovery Hall 
An area of integrated exhibits called Discovery Hall should be developed to include activity and gallery spaces with the express aim of strengthening the connections between children, adults and learners of all ages. These spaces would be linked with the permanent and temporary galleries for art, history and science, so that connections can be established and choices made. To invite attendance and support from families, galleries should not be limited to passive visual experiences. Hands-on interactive areas should be located throughout.
Discovery Hall spaces - with the exception of the Young Discovery Room - should be configured to function also as classrooms able to accommodate up to thirty persons.
7.1.4.a.	Discovery Hall: Young Discovery Room
The Young Discovery Room is for youth ages 3-7 and their caregivers. It is an active area with age-appropriate materials to invite active learning. Kidspace is a small enclosed area within the Young Discovery Room. It is designed for infants and toddlers and their caregivers. It provides a safe and stimulating environment for this age group.
7.1.4.b.	Discovery Hall: General Science and Living Systems
This exhibit area (for ages 8 and up, including adults) could host any science topics, and could be "plug and play" - that is, any exhibit component could be pulled out and replaced without removing components on other topics. This allows a science gallery to keep current by rotating and updating topical exhibits. This space should have an adjacent Demonstration Stage allowing small groups to gather and view live science demonstrations. This area would include a Living Systems exhibit with flora and fauna from marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. This program requires modest space with complete separation from art and artifact areas, and separate support space, with special requirements for live animal care. 
7.1.4.c.	Discovery Hall: Art 
The Museum's very successful Children's Gallery and adjacent activity space will be continued in the new facility. Programmatic links will be developed to integrate science and history in these exhibits. 
7.1.4.d.	Discovery Hall: History
An interactive and hands-on history area could be called “When in Alaska”, and will be designed to complement exhibits within the Alaska Gallery. Programmatic links will be developed to integrate art and science in these exhibits.
7.2	Temporary Exhibitions
Temporary exhibitions are seen as a primary incubator to develop and prototype the integration of art, history, and science. Temporary and changing exhibitions add variety and opportunity primarily for resident Alaskans. The Museum currently hosts around 8-10 temporary exhibitions per year, including traveling exhibitions, exhibitions developed in-house drawing objects from widely dispersed sources, rotating exhibitions drawn from the Permanent Collection, solo and group shows. In addition, about 8-10 smaller exhibitions are developed annually and displayed in wall cases on the mezzanine and other corridors. Temporary exhibitions last from 6 weeks to 6 months. Additional small galleries are proposed for the new Museum. Corridors, café, entryway, and public spaces should also be designed for changing mini-exhibitions, particularly for two-dimensional art and artifacts. Floors in all galleries need to be able to support the use of heavy equipment.
To host major exhibitions in history, art and/or science dedicated temporary exhibition space with full environmental controls and state-of-the-art lighting and support systems is needed, such as for the “Sue” exhibit. This area should be constructed with the flexibility to convert into multiple small galleries or the capacity to be joined for a large exhibition. 
These temporary galleries will be used for integrated and discipline-focused exhibitions. Examples of these exhibits include Crossroads of Continents, Science Under Sail, the Chihuly Glass Exhibit, and the upcoming Shackleton Exhibit in 2004. In addition, the Museum organizes special exhibits such as Yup’ik Masks or Eskimo Drawings developed around the Museum’s permanent collection. Traveling exhibitions prepared by the Museum are circulated to over 30 rural communities in Alaska, as well as throughout the circumpolar North. Exhibitions are developed within the Museum to bring Alaska material home from institutions, such as the National Museum of Finland, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institution. 
In order to produce and maintain quality exhibitions, the Museum needs to improve its exhibit workshops and facilities for receiving and handling traveling exhibitions. This will also be needed for development and maintenance of The Imaginarium exhibit components, which are likely to require more active, ongoing maintenance as well as the constant creation of new science exhibits, consistent with the experience of most science centers. An offsite warehouse is an option for most exhibit fabrication and storage. However, the new Museum should continue to have the capacity to undertake minor in-house design and exhibit production.
7.3	Community Gallery 
Many museums value the temporary exhibition's capacity to provide a "window on the world" for their constituents ¾ and this is certainly an important service that the Museum provides to the Anchorage community. The state of Alaska has grown more diverse as demonstrated by the 94 languages currently spoken by children in the Anchorage schools. This temporary exhibition gallery space will be dedicated as a Community Gallery. The Community Gallery would be under the direction of a curator who would work with community groups to develop exhibitions on their culture, art, or history, utilizing the expertise of the Museum’s professional exhibit and collections staff in exhibit production. The Museum’s Exhibition Committee and a newly formed Community Advisory Committee will oversee the policies and scheduling of this gallery. The gallery would be used in conjunction with nearby multi­purpose space for special events. This space might be used for indoor festivals, performances, or community events. Careful consideration regarding use of this particular facility and access from the exterior is important. Issues such as the occasional introduction of food and food preparation (such as for community or ethnic food festivals) need to be addressed within the context of zoning the collection spaces as a whole to be separate from all organic materials. It will be necessary for this area to be accessible from the catering kitchen, without food or garbage passing through areas that are intended for the display or movement of collections.
8.	Collections
The collections of the Anchorage Museum are central to its mission to collect, preserve and interpret the aesthetic, ethnographic and historical heritage of Alaska and the circumpolar North. The Anchorage Museum holds the most important historical survey of Alaska art in the state, as well as a wide-ranging collection of contemporary Alaska art. The Museum has a significant collection of Native Art. Over the years, the Museum has amassed a collection of ethnographic and historical material, which will be complemented by the Alaska artifacts within the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center.
The Museum gives priority to collections about the State Alaska, with an expanded mandate to collect sample materials from the circumpolar Arctic, and secondarily from adjacent areas of the North Pacific. Small collections in natural history and ethnographic materials from outside Alaska, such as Siberia, are also acquired for comparison and understanding of Alaska objects in context. The Art collection focuses on typical examples of Alaska art and artists working in Alaska, or with the subject of Alaska exclusively, and aims to be representative of the best of Alaska art.
The Museum is exhibition oriented in art, history, and science, and collections focused in art and history. The purpose of collections in science is primarily for display and interpretive programming. The new Museum will enhance collections to support clearly defined exhibition goals in art, history, and science, rather than developing systematic research collections. 
There is an interest in building connections between collections and public space. Examples include: the addition of windows to watch conservators and exhibit preparation; web links to follow projects in progress; in-gallery restorations; online catalog with collection illustrations; preview case and viewing window on walls of galleries under construction.
The current workspace in Collections is on multiple levels and rooms. It could benefit from reorganization to maximize efficiency. Additional space is required for storing paintings and prints, offices and workspaces to accommodate a larger staff. Other additions to collection specifications will be required for new exhibitions in science and history. Large object and crate storage could be moved offsite to a warehouse or in storage space developed in the lower level. Additional workrooms, curatorial research, and conservation labs can be shared among science, history, ASC and art. 
Overall, the plan calls for essentially doubling the area for collections. This will need to be scrutinized further in discussions with the design team. In particular, the collections requirements for science should be identified.
9.	Library/Archives
The expanded Museum will include an enhanced Library/Archives service and better use of contemporary electronic communication of information and photo images. 
9.1	Library and Archives
The Museum’s Library and Archives collects, preserves, and makes available books, maps, historic photographs and other materials pertaining to Anchorage and Alaska’s history. The department also preserves materials documenting the history of the Museum such as photographs, exhibit catalogs, architectural drawings and newsletters. 

The Museum’s collection of over 400,000 historic photographs is located in the Library and Archives. These photographs cover a broad range of topics in Alaska’s history and include image collections from a variety of organizations and professional photographers as well as personal photo albums. The photograph collection is especially strong in images of historic Anchorage. The department receives most of its photographs by donation. Photographs cannot be borrowed but prints and digitally scanned images can be made for a small processing fee. 

The Library contains approximately 10,000 titles focusing primarily on the history, anthropology, and art of Alaska and arctic regions. The collection also contains many early and rare volumes that describe the exploration and history of Alaska, and a computerized database of information on over 10,000 Alaskan artists. This collection will expand with the books and papers from two collections on long term loan from the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center. The new facility will allow the Library and Archives to grow to house collections, processing, and staff space, along with a reference/reading room. This will allow expanded physical and electronic access by specific interest groups, students, educators, authors, and scholars.
Overall, the plan provides for almost tripling the area of the library and archives. This needs further scrutiny and justification in the discussions with the design team with the objective of reducing the area.
9.2	Multi-Media Resources (Electronic Outreach)
Within its new space, the Library and Archives will be able to take on a new role as a center from which online information resources can flow to all areas of the Museum ­galleries, theaters, classrooms and public areas, as well as other institutions statewide and nationally. Greater access will allow Alaskans and those in the lower 48 states to discover images of and information about the Museum's collections, browse the historic photographs, review future events, and possibly take distance learning courses or virtual Museum tours. Online access to the Library catalog is available now through the Municipal Library’s web site.
10.	Educational Programs and Facilities
Educational program offerings provide the Museum's audiences with more in-depth interpreted experiences than can be provided through exhibits and self-directed learning alone. The provision of an active, vibrant, relevant education program will be a critical component of the Museum's expansion program. Overall guidance regarding educational programs and facilities is that shared use of spaces should be encouraged whenever possible. There should be conscious intent to manage for efficient use of staff and space.
There is an increased recognition of the importance of interactive and facilitated learning for families, children and multigenerational learners, as a fundamental component of the compelling visitor experience. To reach out to their audiences in new ways, museums are increasingly taking advantage of new interpretive techniques and venues, inspired by the performing arts and interactive education strategies; for example, performances of Native artists and dancers, actors in costume in the galleries with links back to the artifacts, science demonstrations, and greater use of technology.
Using gallery guides or presenters enriches the experience and brings art, history, and science to life. The deployment and training of floor staff is an increasingly important issue being raised by museums nationally, and is part of the facilitated interactive culture of The Imaginarium. While the Anchorage Museum currently has an impressive docent program, it is primarily focused on providing a "tour" experience for visitors. The Imaginarium has volunteer explainers for hands-on exploration. These approaches will be blended in the new institution, providing increased interactivity. Recruitment, training, and management of these volunteers will have impacts on future operations approach and costs. 
The Education Program is supported by the inclusion of activity spaces associated with the permanent galleries for art, history, and science. Spaces within, or adjacent to the galleries would provide an area for independent learning and exploration by all ages. Activity space for student groups up to thirty should occur within Discovery Hall or education classrooms.
Note: The Round Room and Auditorium are located in the ‘Visitor Services’ section of the Program Matrix.
10.1	The Round Room
The Imaginarium has been a major provider of astronomy and outer space-oriented education for the public and schools in Anchorage, and would like the capacity to seat two school classes (60-75 seats) in a new facility. The Round Room has been proposed as a small-format theatre to serve many functions, such as a Planetarium, films and demonstrations in art, history and/or science. 
This multi-use space would require up to 2,000 sf of space to be designed with a movable stage, a theatrical lighting grid, power and communications trunking, sound isolation and acoustics designed for music performance, and a sophisticated audio and sound system requiring a separate control booth. It should have a flat floor and no permanently installed seating or stage. It should be accessible for evening use and located adjacent to temporary exhibit space, and the Community Gallery.
10.2	Auditorium
The Museum's auditorium seats 230 and is a suitable size for most events that the Museum hosts. It has a flexible stage configuration to accommodate a range of programming types, and needs improvements in lighting to enhance the connection between the presenters and the audience. The Auditorium will continue to be used for a wide variety of programs - including lectures, performances, audio-visual presentations and forums - but will require an extensive technical upgrade to meet the needs of new presentation styles and technologies as well as improved capacity to document and "broadcast" the activities that take place there (such as for "feeds" to remote locations, internet forums, etc.). The existing stage should be examined for solutions to provide greater flexibility for dance and music performances. This facility should be available for use after-hours at the Museum. There is a current conflict in simultaneous use of the Atrium/Foyer and the Auditorium for separate functions, due to a shared entrance. 
10.3	Classrooms, Galleries and Outreach for School Programs
The new institution will widen its appeal to school groups, as well as enhance the capacity of the Museum to offer quality curriculum-based school programming. The Imaginarium now operates extensive public programs including festivals and special events, camp-ins, summer camps, workshops, demonstrations, birthday and other parties, lectures and films. These activities will continue in the new Museum. The new Museum will be able to provide a full day of Museum activities for schools, thus making field trips more beneficial and cost effective. The Museum visit would be relevant to art, history, and science related studies. Components of the new Museum’s Schools Program include:
10.3.1	Providing more activity spaces where hands-on activities can take place and developing a wider variety of age-appropriate and curriculum-linked activities;
10.3.2	Staffing to work with curriculum and teachers to develop programming and to provide docent and teacher training to implement it; teacher training related to using the Museum and its programs is an important opportunity for the new Anchorage Museum;
10.3.3	Strengthening pre- and post-visit materials to prepare students and teachers in advance of their visit and to prolong the Museum experience once back in the classroom and at home (an important strategy for prompting return visits by the students' families)
10.3.4	An activity and event room that doubles as a lunchroom and a space for birthday party rentals and other program activities;
10.3.5	Dedicated school group activity spaces, cloakroom and children’s toilets;
10.3.6	Providing space for assembling, storing and shipping artifact school kits, which are vital to a continuing schools outreach program and will require staff as well as space resources;
10.3.7	Delivering statewide outreach in art, history and science based on The Imaginarium’s entrepreneurial approach now initiated by national grants;
10.3.8	Programming and outreach to attract groups and individuals not currently visiting the Museum. 
10.4	Classrooms, Seminar Space and Multimedia Spaces for Adults
The Museum currently houses many community activities ranging from regular meetings to special public programs, classes, and events. These groups meet in classrooms, the Atrium and Café, the Auditorium, the Library/Archives and the galleries. This community gathering function is an essential and continuing role of the new Museum, and may involve uses beyond the ones listed below. It is assumed the uses will occur in shared rather than dedicated spaces.
10.4.1	Programs and Special Interest Groups - Adult special interest groups with missions aligned with that of the Museum range from the Cook Inlet Historical Society through the Alaska Design Forum, the Ikebana Society of Alaska, the Weavers and Spinners Guild and Alaska Creative Woodworkers. All are actively using the Museum facilities for meetings and educational programs for their members and the public at large. 
10.4.2	Continuing Education - Self-directed learning, the enhancement of exhibitions and the Library and Archives as a multi-dimensional resource center will expand significantly. By including activity/classrooms in the expansion, the Museum can sponsor adult and family classes, school programs, visiting artists in residence, and master classes. The Museum also works with the Anchorage School District for teacher training related to special exhibits. 
10.4.3	University and College Partnerships - Local colleges and universities have expressed interest in partnering with the Museum to provide programs that extend both Continuing Education and degree program scope. This could include work with hands-on collections, drawing in the galleries, providing internship opportunities for course credits and development of a speaker's bureau, and lecture series. Elderhostel and Earthwatch programs can be sponsored jointly by the Museum and the universities. The Auditorium, the Round Room, seminar rooms, Library and Archives, Arctic Studies Center, and collections workroom, conservation lab and curatorial research room are important spaces for this function. 
10.4.4	Summer Films - Films are shown three times daily during the summer in the Auditorium. The summer season runs from 15 May-15 September. Films are also shown for special exhibits and occasions.
10.4.5	Volunteers Program - Recruitment, training, recognition, and scheduling of volunteers are all functions of the Education Department, requiring space for training, lounges and lockers. Currently there are 350 active Museum volunteers, with 40 active docents who lead 95% of the Museum tours at the Museum. The Imaginarium currently has 40-100 active volunteers including a smaller group of volunteers who are active as science facilitators or docents. Volunteers average 8-12 a day, using 400 sf of space. The integrated pool of volunteers will be expanded significantly with adult and teenage volunteers currently supporting The Imaginarium.  
11.	Visitor Services 
Visitor amenities are directed towards making every visit to the Museum an enjoyable experience. From the moment a visitor walks in the door, a welcoming lobby, a unique shop and café, good informational signage, security, cheerful and knowledgeable staff, and ready access to washrooms, cloakroom, and stroller and wheelchair storage set the stage for a longer and more rewarding visit.
Enhanced focus on the visitor experience is key to development of the Museum in terms of formal exhibits and educational programs, as well as public spaces and community activities. Visitors to the new Museum should find comfort, enjoyment, the opportunity for socializing, respect, choices and control, challenge and confidence, and revitalization. 
Note: The Round Room and Auditorium narrative is located in Section 10, Educational Programs and Facilities.
11.1	Image and Orientation
With the new addition there is the opportunity for increased visibility from the street, to help orient visitors and draw them to the new Museum from the downtown core. Opportunities for seating and gathering spaces will be important throughout the new Museum, particularly in the entrance spaces, but also in the galleries.
11.2	Museum Retail Shops
The Museum Shop, operated by the Anchorage Museum Association, is one of the largest revenue sources for the Museum. It enhances and reinforces the visitor experience, giving visitors an opportunity for a tangible reminder of their visit. The Shop also serves the local community with unique items. When science is incorporated into the new Museum, the shop will need to expand with the addition of approximately 1300 net sf Children's Shop for art, history, and science and an additional approximate 600 sf for the main shop. An on-street presence should be considered. Special retail kiosks or satellite retail centers (300-500 sf) will be developed to support special exhibits, like “Sue.” 
The AMA's current offices, shipping, storage and stockroom areas in the Annex will be replaced with space within the expanded Museum building. 
11.3	Museum Cafe
The Museum Café serves as a relaxing dining space, inviting visitors to linger in the Museum. As close to the entrance lobby as possible, preferably with street visibility, the Cafe and the Museum Gift Shop should be available to casual diners and shoppers as well as to every Museum visitor. The Cafe may be supplemented by outdoor seating in the Sculpture Garden and Plaza in summer. A restaurant kitchen, food storage, and catering kitchen with delivery and garbage disposal facilities will support the Café, special events at the Museum and off-site catering. The Cafe and Museum Shop should be positioned to be open to the public even when the rest of the Museum is closed.
11.4	Public Gathering Space
The main public entry should be a “defining space” which relates to downtown Anchorage. It is recommended that there be just one public gathering space, which is either the existing Atrium, or a new space adjoining the new entry. The institution serves the statewide community, and public space is at the center, or heart of that function. The Museum has a busy program of special public events related to the Museum program, including seasonal festivals, juried art exhibitions, and ethnic celebrations. The Museum also holds regular art auctions and other fundraising events in the Museum. In addition, many private events are held at the Museum as a central community location for celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, proms, weddings, and organizational or corporate functions. These provide the Museum with important rental revenue and extend the use of the Museum building by the community. This public gathering space should continue to be perceived as the “living room” of the Anchorage community.
All these events require large, flexible spaces for gatherings, plus support space for cloakrooms, catering, and audio-visual or music provision to make the event a pleasant and memorable one. The public space (existing Atrium or new space) should include space for 300-400 visitors with full or partial dinner service, bars and music. The Museum currently hosts an annual Museum Gala, and industry events; other community gatherings for 300-600 (stand-up) with minimal food requirements; special activity and retail events like Christmas and arts and crafts; hundreds of smaller meetings, lectures, films.
It is important to conceptualize and design the entrance and public program spaces for ease of access and some degree of isolation so that they can readily be used for private and corporate rental functions. Having high-quality and accessible function space available for rent is an important prospective revenue source and community service, as well as having the added advantage of bringing people in to the Museum who might not otherwise visit. Special attention should be given to lighting, sound equipment and adequate power and technology in this space.
11.5	Parking
The current Museum provides leased underground parking spaces for the Federal Building, Museum staff, and volunteers. It is available for free visitor parking during the weekend. An option for the future is to manage the parking garage as a leased concession with arrangements made to continue free volunteer parking privileges. The recommendation is to consider conversion of the current parking to other uses, with a final decision based on costs/benefits analysis. When considering the benefits to retaining the parking, it is critical to note that support to volunteers is vital to the success of the Museum. If it were deemed appropriate to redevelop the current underground parking, at least 20 spaces would continue to be provided on-site for volunteers.
Work is currently underway with the Anchorage Transit Authority and the Federal Building to develop a new bonded parking garage on the southwest corner of C and 7th Avenue. This facility would be connected to the Museum and the Federal Building with sky bridges or underground passageways. This project is outside the scope of the Museum expansion, but will be developed simultaneously to be online for opening of the new Museum in 2008. More parking that is accessible is a repeated request by the visiting public.
12.	Security
Among their responsibilities security services also run films, supervise visitor services, provide building maintenance with the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA), monitor security booths, and cameras, provide first aid, van operations and 24-hour coverage.
Security space allocations will be significantly modified if a second or altered main entrance is included in the new Museum. The new facility will require onsite maintenance, and additional space for storage of equipment and materials now kept with MOA. 
13.	Administration
Administration offices and functions will be consolidated for effective operations. This area will include individual offices and workrooms, office cubicles, conference rooms and informal meeting spaces. The staffing requirements of the new Anchorage Museum are considerable before the expansion, and will increase during the transition to full operations of the new institution.  These issues are in transition as is Museum governance, and are being addressed through meetings of the Joint Staffs of the Museum, the Anchorage Museum Association, the Arctic Studies Center and The Imaginarium.
A better-defined staffing plan will be developed 1 September 2003. This is needed to test the operational sustainability of the new program and to establish the office space requirements in the expanded Museum.
14.	Storage, Workspace and Satellite
The Museum needs additional storage and workspace. Because there is also interest in establishing a satellite presence to increase the access by the community, an opportunity for off-site space is under consideration. This might include warehouse and/or classroom and outreach space in the proposed Mt. View Arts and Cultural District. Offsite space could be dedicated to storage of large objects from Collections, housing Outreach offices for Education, and potential classrooms. Consideration of an offsite warehouse is to be balanced with the option of developing the lower level (basement) onsite. The recommendation is to develop lower level for a full range of program uses. Even if much of the storage function is to be met with development of the lower level, it is still recommended that satellite space with Museum presence be considered for outreach and support of the Mt. View Arts and Cultural District. This effort could begin immediately to demonstrate progress and accessibility to a broader spectrum of the community.
Much of exhibits work includes creating furniture to hold and display artifacts. This work requires a fully equipped carpentry shop with appropriate access, i.e. large overhead doors etc. Another major component of the exhibits department is the preparation of work and exhibits that travel around the state and the "lower 48" states. This requires building crates, which are extremely well made and often have very complicated interiors.  Some traveling exhibits fill one to four, forty-foot vans, so having space to construct and then store these empty crates must be considered. This function will be expanded with the addition of science and The Imaginarium.

Some workspace is considered “dirty” space as opposed to the “clean” prep-rooms that are needed on-site in the Museum. Carpentry space is where sawdust is created, where air hoses, compressors, and nail guns are used, Formica laid, and glue, paint, water and other building materials are in regular use. The “clean” workspace in the Museum would be used for the final fitting and placement of artifacts and objects in their custom made pieces of furniture. Adjustments are always needed during exhibit installation, but these tend to be minor rather than major. The "clean" space will need some carpentry equipment and associated tools, plus a mount making area with its own assortment of supplies and tools. 
15.	16.	Conclusions: Outcomes 
This program statement narrative is only one outcome of the work of the Museum Building Committee’s Program Subcommittee between February and July of 2003. Other significant outcomes include:
bb.	Prepared an educated and diverse group to continue to function as program advocates.
cc.	Identified and developed Integration as a key concept for the new Museum.
dd.	Refined a corresponding quantitative program matrix, with validation of existing spaces through analysis of the architectural record drawings (see Appendix 17.1 and 17.2).
ee.	Catalyzed the first and ongoing regular meetings of the Joint Staffs of the Museum, the AMA, The Imaginarium and the Arctic Studies Center to begin coordinated transition development.
ff.	Elicited recommendations on the role of science through the Science Charrette. The Outside professionals who participated are now advocates and available as resources.
gg.	Convened an Arts Gathering with follow-up meetings to design an Arts Charrette, and to provide input to the design team, the bond campaign, public education and the Museum Building Committee.
hh.	Initiated plans for the History Charrette to work with Cook Inlet Historical Society and the community to focus on redesign of the Alaska Gallery. 
17.	Conclusions: Recommendations for Future Actions
17.1	Public Process and Museum Building Committee Review
17.1.1	Review this program statement and its companion program matrix and floor plans to generate further comments and input.
17.1.2	Distribute the program statement to the design team for review and to provide the basis of the next phase of the iterative process of program refinement.
17.1.3	Distribute the program statement to the Joint Staffs for their guidance and input. Maintain ongoing relationship with this group as they develop transition and operations planning. Recognize their need for additional resources to support this work. 
17.1.4	Distribute the program statement to the Communications Subcommittee for outreach with the Museum Family and the public, including web posting of the draft document; program meetings with the design team; and, incorporation in project introduction and the municipal bond campaign. Continue to ask the question: How can the new Museum serve the community better?
17.1.5	Recognize that community support and passage of the MOA bond for $20 million is essential for the success of the new institution. 
17.1.6	Explore a relationship with the proposed Mt. View Arts and Cultural District with development of a satellite facility for classrooms and outreach. Consider offsite development of warehouse space in this area for storage and exhibit production.
17.1.7	Define a new subcommittee of the MBC to participate with the design team during the next phase of programming and concept development, and to maintain close contact with the full Museum Building Committee.
17.2	Program Development
17.2.1	Sponsor a History Charrette in Fall of 2003 to develop the exhibits for the new Alaska Gallery. Include members of the Cook Inlet Historical Society, as well as Outside interpretive professionals, Museum staff, and representatives from art and science to support an integrated approach.
17.2.2	Sponsor an Arts Charrette in Fall of 2003 to develop the role of Art in the new Museum. This Charrette will be attended by artists, members and patrons, historians and scientists. 
17.2.3	Consider the requests of the National Park Service and the Alaska Design Forum for shared programs and spaces within the new institution based on the commonality of purpose, if space is available.
17.2.4	Consider development of the lower level (basement) for a full range of program uses.
17.3	Budget and Operations
Development of a realistic sustainable projected operating budget for the new Museum is critical to support ongoing design decisions and institutional transition. The following steps are recommended to accomplish this.
17.3.1	Define a staffing plan for the new Museum that includes a phasing and transition schedule by 1 September 2003.
17.3.2	Develop an operating budget for post 2008 (annual expenditures and sources of income) for the new Museum by 15 September 2003. This should be done by the staffs of the Museum, the AMA, and The Imaginarium, and will probably require some temporary resourcing.
17.3.3	Engage a development consultant, such as Mr. Tom Harris, to review the operating budget and to work with the Future of the Museum Committee, and the Commission on assessing the sustainability of the program and the Museum Building Committee on the relationship to the capital program and budget. The intent is to look at sustainability, diversification of revenue sources, assumptions of public support and transition resourcing/costs.
17.3.4	Effect the endorsement of the operating budget for the new Museum by the Commission by 1 November 2003.
17.3.5	Refine the estimate for exhibit design and fabrication by 1 October 2003, and determine the appropriate timing of engagement of an exhibit designer.
The staffing plan, operating budget, and capital cost for exhibit design and fabrication documents will be appended to the Program Statement document when completed.
17.4	17.5	Governance and Agreements
The change in governance that has been proposed to the Municipality of Anchorage by the History and Fine Arts Commission would greatly benefit governance of the Museum. The recommendation is that the AMA Board be reconstituted and become the governing board of the Museum. Approval of a new Municipal ordinance is required to enable this, to be followed by negotiations between the AMA and the Municipality on the terms of the contract for the operation of the Museum by the AMA. Negotiations are currently in progress between the AMA and The Imaginarium (to define the terms of the integration of The Imaginarium into the new Museum); the Museum Foundation (to define the annual financial support to be expected from the Foundation); and the Cook Inlet Historical Society.
All of these agreements need to be in place to confirm the program described in this document and to effectively promote the bond campaign.
18.	Appendix
18.1	Program Matrix
18.2	Programming Analysis (Floor Plans)