Just sent this e-mail to Martha Stewart. Wish us good fortune!
Martha,
I have been collecting all my life. My museum "MICHAEL'S MUSEUM" a folk art collection of over one hundred collections, with hundreds of thousands of pieces, all small but not necessarily miniatures, will become a permanent exhibit at THE CHICAGO CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.
Would love to have your involvement in any way that you think might be appropriate. Children collect and grow into adults who collect and what a wonderful connection Martha Stewart and Michael's Museum at The Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier could become.
Our opening event will be on Friday the 13th of May, 2011.
SITE: www.michaelsmuseum.org
BLOG: michaelcollects.blogspot.com
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
UPDATE: 01/17/11 Meeting
Jenny and I met at Manny's Deli on Jefferson Street for what ended up being a Corned Beef Sandwich, Chicken Soup with Kreplach, Potato Pancake with Sour Cream and Apple Sauce, Cup of Coffee, Piece of Cherry Pie, and five hours of discussion dealing with the end of the Schematic Design and beginning of Design Development Phases. We are at the point of trying to put together the hundred's of thousands of jigsaw puzzle pieces that will become the Michael's Museum Permanent Exhibit as you see it at the opening on Friday the 13th of May, 2011.
I will not bore you with the details but lets just say that a lot of the pieces are still being pushed around on the table and we hope that when we finish putting them together that none of them are missing (and that none of the pieces are from another puzzle.)
I will not bore you with the details but lets just say that a lot of the pieces are still being pushed around on the table and we hope that when we finish putting them together that none of them are missing (and that none of the pieces are from another puzzle.)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
UPDATE 01/13/11: Marketing & Development Meeting
Second meeting this week. This one with Amy of Development, Jennifer of Marketing, and Brett for Special Events. Michael's Museum will have a page on the CCM site, details to be determined. CCM Facebook presence will have a link to the page as well. Michael's Museum will have a presence in the CCM Gift Shop and Jasmine is working on this with the store's buyers. MM will be included in the CCM April E-Newsletter.
Background information on Michael and the Museum is being gathered and there will be some formal interviews by CCM staff as well.
Since MM is a museum of "small things" development and fund raising will work through many small ways for people to donate. Perhaps an internet countdown with people sponsoring a picture of a museum article each day.
Big plans are in progress for the opening morning celebrations including invitations to hold the date going out soon. CCM Boards, staff, supporters, family, and friends will be included in the invitations. Various experts in the field of collecting will be asked to join in. There will be a light breakfast, speeches, ribbon cutting, interaction with Michael and the Michael's Museum Team, and then the exhibit will be open for all by the time the Museum opens for the day.
An evening party is also being planned. More details on this later. If you are reading this and want to be included in the festivities send your request to: info@michaelsmuseum.org
Background information on Michael and the Museum is being gathered and there will be some formal interviews by CCM staff as well.
Since MM is a museum of "small things" development and fund raising will work through many small ways for people to donate. Perhaps an internet countdown with people sponsoring a picture of a museum article each day.
Big plans are in progress for the opening morning celebrations including invitations to hold the date going out soon. CCM Boards, staff, supporters, family, and friends will be included in the invitations. Various experts in the field of collecting will be asked to join in. There will be a light breakfast, speeches, ribbon cutting, interaction with Michael and the Michael's Museum Team, and then the exhibit will be open for all by the time the Museum opens for the day.
An evening party is also being planned. More details on this later. If you are reading this and want to be included in the festivities send your request to: info@michaelsmuseum.org
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Grand Opening
Today is exactly 120 days away from the Grand Opening of Michael's Museum at The Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier. May 13, 2011.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
UPDATE: 01/11/11 Team Meeting
What a lot of "1's" in the date. Can't wait until this evening at 11:11. Todays meeting was spent discussing graphics for the exhibit. Ellen, CCM Graphic Designer joined the meeting. A fun breakthrough, thanks Natalie and Katie, was that to meet sign size requirements but not overpower the exhibit, we will post TINY signs but provide a magnifying glass so the visitor can "pump the point size up" to whatever size they desire.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
UPDATE: 01/04/11 Team Meeting
This was the first meeting of the new year. Michele (Project Manager) facilitated. We discussed timeline and budget, Natalie (Education Developer) presented an educational activity overview, and Jenny (Exhibit Designer) discussed details and continued thinking about exhibit layout and design. She presented possibility sketches for "The Curator's Desk." We are almost finished with the Schematic Design phase of Michael's Museum and look forward to its presentation to the Management Committee for their January 25th meeting.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy New Year 2011
As we begin the New Year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the wonderful Chicago Children's Museum (CCM) people who have worked so hard as we move towards the opening of Michael's Museum at CCM on Navy Pier on "Friday the 13th" of May, 2011.
MM@CCM TEAM MEMBERS
| NAME | ROLE | GROUP |
| Katie Slivovsky | Exhibit Developer | Core |
| Michele Boglio | Project Manager | Core |
| Natalie Bortoli | Education Developer | Core |
| Jenny Schrider | Designer | Core |
| Louise Belmont-Skinner | Exhibits & Design Rep/VP | Core |
| Benjamin Waite | Visitor Advocate | Core |
| Michael Horvich | Collection Expert/Curator | Core |
| Mark Frank | Lead Preparator | Extended |
| Amy Carmell Jones | Individual Giving Manager | Extended |
| Jennifer Joyce | Marketing VP | Extended |
| Ellen Sanderson | Graphics Designer | Extended |
| Stephanie Lieber | Individual Giving VP | As Needed |
| Peter WIlliams | Preparator VP | As Needed |
| Jennifer Farrington | President/CEO CCM | As Needed |
| | | |
| 14 Members | | |
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
BROWN BAG LUNCH
On Monday, December 20 a Brown Bag presentation was held in the Rice Workshop for any museum staff who could attend. The propose of the Brown Bag was to provide an overview and update on Michael's Museum. The meeting was attended by approximately 25 people.
Jenny Schrider's model of the Michael's Museum exhibit, 11 x 17 sketches, a bowl of m&m's with a tiny train running on a track around the bowl, and a tray with little "take away" mementos for attendees sat on a table in the center of the room.
Team members presented the overview and update using a Power Point presentation put together by Katie. There was a question and answer period and the meeting ended with attendees sharing their experience with collecting as a child and/or currently.
Jenny Schrider's model of the Michael's Museum exhibit, 11 x 17 sketches, a bowl of m&m's with a tiny train running on a track around the bowl, and a tray with little "take away" mementos for attendees sat on a table in the center of the room.
Team members presented the overview and update using a Power Point presentation put together by Katie. There was a question and answer period and the meeting ended with attendees sharing their experience with collecting as a child and/or currently.
Friday, December 17, 2010
UPDATE 12/17/10: Team Meeting
The fifty page Concept Design Paper is now complete.
At this meeting we reviewed some of the items in that document. We talked about some exhibit specifics like populating the high shelves, the look and purpose of the Curator's Desk, props for visitors to use as they experience the "curating" experience, and changing (monthly? quarterly?) exhibits from "Michael's Private Collection" and possibly a Visitor Adult and/or Child Collections." Jenny presented a 3D model of what the space will look like based on the sketches. Finally we discussed the CCM budget allocation for space preparation, additional exhibit piece fabrication, collections protection, and visitor disposable manulipatives.
At this meeting we reviewed some of the items in that document. We talked about some exhibit specifics like populating the high shelves, the look and purpose of the Curator's Desk, props for visitors to use as they experience the "curating" experience, and changing (monthly? quarterly?) exhibits from "Michael's Private Collection" and possibly a Visitor Adult and/or Child Collections." Jenny presented a 3D model of what the space will look like based on the sketches. Finally we discussed the CCM budget allocation for space preparation, additional exhibit piece fabrication, collections protection, and visitor disposable manulipatives.
Friday, December 10, 2010
UPDATE 12/10/10: A Visit to Michael's Museum
Today Jenny, Mark, and I met at the off site storage facility, to look through some of the cabinets from previous Chicago Children's Museum exhibits to see which, if any, could be "repurposed" for Michael's Museum. Then we visited "2050" where Michael's Museum is gently resting until the reinstallation in its own gallery on Navy Pier during May 2011. After the storage facility visit and over lunch at Manny's on Roosevelt Street, Jenny & I talked about each of the +100 collections and any special cabinet needs. The day was quite productive.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
UPDATE 12/07/10: Management, Programming, Gift Shop
Busy day for Michael's Museum at The Chicago Children's Museum today.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
PROGRAMMING SUB-TEAM
Today the Programming Sub-Team (Katie, Natalie, and Michael) met to talk about what kinds of activities and hands on experiences visitors to Michael's Museum would have. We reviewed the "plan" of the space and looked at how activities would be interspersed throughout the exhibit. We talked about the function of the "Curator's Desk" and how visitors could "pretend to be in charge" of Michael's Museum via various activities at that point. We discussed the importance of having pieces of the collection at all heights on the wall so little, bigger, and adult visitors could comfortably enjoy investigating the collections. We also talked about having "safe stools" for kids to stand on to get a closer look at things in the exhibit.
GIFT SHOP SUB-TEAM
Michael and Jasime, manager of the Gift Shop, met to discuss a Michael's Museum presence in the Gift Shop. Besides specific suggestions about the type of items the shop could sell that would be part of the "Tiny Treasure" experience, we discussed the buyers involvement from the third party that runs the gift shop for The Chicago Children's Museum. We also talked about the mechanics of displaying and merchandising to make the MM Corner visible and inviting. Finally we discussed the possibilities of creating product on our own that reflects Michael's Museum.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
This morning Natalie and Louise presented the Michael’s Museum executive summary to the Management Committee. Everyone continues to be very enthusiastic about the project. An interesting note is that as management gets more familiar with the project their questions get more specific and and involved. Everyone liked the tag line – A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures, so we will go with that. Amy commented that per the Public Space team work, Michael’s Museum reflects the “mind body provocation” tactic: the visitor encounters the unexpected within Public spaces; stimulates inquiry and kindles wonder, fuels the imagination, and challenges mind and body experiences”
PROGRAMMING SUB-TEAM
Today the Programming Sub-Team (Katie, Natalie, and Michael) met to talk about what kinds of activities and hands on experiences visitors to Michael's Museum would have. We reviewed the "plan" of the space and looked at how activities would be interspersed throughout the exhibit. We talked about the function of the "Curator's Desk" and how visitors could "pretend to be in charge" of Michael's Museum via various activities at that point. We discussed the importance of having pieces of the collection at all heights on the wall so little, bigger, and adult visitors could comfortably enjoy investigating the collections. We also talked about having "safe stools" for kids to stand on to get a closer look at things in the exhibit.
GIFT SHOP SUB-TEAM
Michael and Jasime, manager of the Gift Shop, met to discuss a Michael's Museum presence in the Gift Shop. Besides specific suggestions about the type of items the shop could sell that would be part of the "Tiny Treasure" experience, we discussed the buyers involvement from the third party that runs the gift shop for The Chicago Children's Museum. We also talked about the mechanics of displaying and merchandising to make the MM Corner visible and inviting. Finally we discussed the possibilities of creating product on our own that reflects Michael's Museum.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tag Line
Looks like Michael's Museum has a "tag line." It is not absolutely final but looks good:
MICHAEL'S MUSEUM:
A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures
Also watch for a new LOGO. The original one will be prominently featured on the Curator's Desk and will be included in the "History of Michael's Museum." But with the new look and feel of the space, to accommodate black and white print versions, to be more readable, and to be compatible with other Chicago Children's Museum logos, change is afoot!
With the work of the Michael's Museum Core Team and Extended Team, Michael's Museum will not only be as amusing, amazing and astounding as the old version ... IT WILL BE BETTER!
MICHAEL'S MUSEUM:
A Curious Collection of Tiny Treasures
Also watch for a new LOGO. The original one will be prominently featured on the Curator's Desk and will be included in the "History of Michael's Museum." But with the new look and feel of the space, to accommodate black and white print versions, to be more readable, and to be compatible with other Chicago Children's Museum logos, change is afoot!
With the work of the Michael's Museum Core Team and Extended Team, Michael's Museum will not only be as amusing, amazing and astounding as the old version ... IT WILL BE BETTER!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Meeting Update: November 23, 2010
This was the final Concept Design meeting. The Concept Design document will be completed and ready for distribution first week of December. Sub group meetings begin after Thanksgiving and include "Programming" and "Schematic" and "Gift Shop."
Lots of time was spent visiting with Jenny's updated design sketches. We are sure she spent loads of time processing feedback from the team, finalizing her thoughts, drawing, and coloring ... but after seeing the design sketches ... she has made it seem so easy and so obvious. Everyone was pleased and excited. In fact I was jumping up and down like a little boy.
Remembering that in this phase of planning, all things are still changeable, here are beginning looks at Michael's Museum at The Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier.
Lots of time was spent visiting with Jenny's updated design sketches. We are sure she spent loads of time processing feedback from the team, finalizing her thoughts, drawing, and coloring ... but after seeing the design sketches ... she has made it seem so easy and so obvious. Everyone was pleased and excited. In fact I was jumping up and down like a little boy.
Remembering that in this phase of planning, all things are still changeable, here are beginning looks at Michael's Museum at The Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Meeting Update: November 16, 2010
This was the next to last meeting for "Concept Design" and before Thanksgiving. The majority of the meeting was spent looking at and talking about Jenny's colorful elevation drawings and sketches with sample furniture in place.
After what looked like much thought about design possibilities, Jenny really captured what the inside of MM@CCM might look like but wanted suggestions for the entrance/outside which she considered a difficult element of the design that was not quite right, in mid-stream, but having promise.
It is always EASY to suggest corrections once the ROUGH DRAFT has been written by someone else. So it was with Jenny's presentation. Hopefully the group's feedback has helped Jenny as she returns to the drawing board to pull out more wonderful ideas from her creative supply!
After what looked like much thought about design possibilities, Jenny really captured what the inside of MM@CCM might look like but wanted suggestions for the entrance/outside which she considered a difficult element of the design that was not quite right, in mid-stream, but having promise.
It is always EASY to suggest corrections once the ROUGH DRAFT has been written by someone else. So it was with Jenny's presentation. Hopefully the group's feedback has helped Jenny as she returns to the drawing board to pull out more wonderful ideas from her creative supply!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Quotes
A few quotes from Michael that came up during previous MM@CCM Team Meetings:
"Sometimes I like to pretend that I am real."
"I never meant for this to happen."
"Sometimes I like to pretend that I am real."
"I never meant for this to happen."
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Marketing and Development Meeting: November 9, 2010
After the Team Meeting (1:30-3:30) a meeting with the Marketing Representative (Jennifer J) and Development Representative (Amy C) took place (3:30-4:30) with Michael and Louise while Michelle took minutes.
The purpose of the meeting was two fold. First Jennifer and Amy shared more about the scope of their departments and how those departments would be interacting with and supporting Michael's Museum. Second, Michael wanted to offer his assistance in whatever way was needed to support their departments.
Once again a "Transition" discussion took place. MM has been a one man show for the last 30 years and now is very pleased to be part of a larger institution in the name of the world renowned Chicago Children's Museum.
In this collaborative relationship, where many people are involved to make sure that MM@CCM is successful, what must be done to help Michael's Museum make the transition into the culture of The Chicago Children's Museum while at the same time keeping its unique identity and integrity?
The progress so far has been amazing, the spirit of the adventure high, and the optimism non-stop. So many times, I have heard people comment, "Can't wait!" Neither can I but meanwhile, I have been enjoying and growing through the process.
The purpose of the meeting was two fold. First Jennifer and Amy shared more about the scope of their departments and how those departments would be interacting with and supporting Michael's Museum. Second, Michael wanted to offer his assistance in whatever way was needed to support their departments.
Once again a "Transition" discussion took place. MM has been a one man show for the last 30 years and now is very pleased to be part of a larger institution in the name of the world renowned Chicago Children's Museum.
In this collaborative relationship, where many people are involved to make sure that MM@CCM is successful, what must be done to help Michael's Museum make the transition into the culture of The Chicago Children's Museum while at the same time keeping its unique identity and integrity?
The progress so far has been amazing, the spirit of the adventure high, and the optimism non-stop. So many times, I have heard people comment, "Can't wait!" Neither can I but meanwhile, I have been enjoying and growing through the process.
Meeting Update: November 9, 2010
The main activity of this meeting was Jenny Schrider's sharing of and receiving feedback from the group on her initial "bubble plans" for the MM@CCM exhibit space.
She certainly did her homework and research in finding pictures and images that had a feel similar to the original MM when it was in my home and when CCM first saw and fell in love with it in 2007. She also looked at "Wonder Rooms" and "Curiosity Cabinets" of the 16th and 17th centuries, and the Thorn Rooms at the Art Institute for motivations.
The concept and documentation of the history and transition of MM to CCM begins to become an additional collection for MM@CCM. The group felt it was important for visitors to realize that it is "one person's collection and world view" that is being shared with a wider audience.
Her design incorporated putting the entrance in a new place, creating a comfortable seating area with a rug, love seat, chairs and coffee table. Her vision of "The Curator's Desk" was a place for visitor activities as well as a place for Michael to work when he is in the museum. Options besides wall cabinets for displaying collections was discussed.
Having items floor to ceiling and possibly on the ceiling was discussed. "Peep Throughs" from the Great Hall perhaps looking through a collection cabinet and into MM would allow for surprise.
Jenny has a great feel for the "essence" of Michael's Museum and how to bring that to The Children's Museum in a manner that is fitting to both the collection and CCM and in the transition from "then to now," making it even better than ever imagined.
She certainly did her homework and research in finding pictures and images that had a feel similar to the original MM when it was in my home and when CCM first saw and fell in love with it in 2007. She also looked at "Wonder Rooms" and "Curiosity Cabinets" of the 16th and 17th centuries, and the Thorn Rooms at the Art Institute for motivations.
The concept and documentation of the history and transition of MM to CCM begins to become an additional collection for MM@CCM. The group felt it was important for visitors to realize that it is "one person's collection and world view" that is being shared with a wider audience.
Her design incorporated putting the entrance in a new place, creating a comfortable seating area with a rug, love seat, chairs and coffee table. Her vision of "The Curator's Desk" was a place for visitor activities as well as a place for Michael to work when he is in the museum. Options besides wall cabinets for displaying collections was discussed.
Having items floor to ceiling and possibly on the ceiling was discussed. "Peep Throughs" from the Great Hall perhaps looking through a collection cabinet and into MM would allow for surprise.
Jenny has a great feel for the "essence" of Michael's Museum and how to bring that to The Children's Museum in a manner that is fitting to both the collection and CCM and in the transition from "then to now," making it even better than ever imagined.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
This BLOG is Especially for You!
A little late for a Halloween type threat but I KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE. I know that you are viewing my BLOG because the number counter keeps going up. BUT, I don't know who you are and that is making me nuts. PLEASE, PLEASE comment. It's easy.
Under the entry is the word "comment." Click it, and leave your comment. You can "Sign in" from the list offered or just sign in as "Anonymous." You do not have to leave your full name if you choose not to. Just leave your initials so I know it is you. Would love to hear from you.
Don't forget I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Meeting Update: November 2, 2010
We are now in the final three weeks of the concept development for MM@CCM and Jenny, Exhibit Designer has joined the Team Meetings. She will be developing the "How will it look? and How will it work?" part of MM. After talking about the little trinkets we brought in to share, we spent the meeting discussing the work thus far in relation to Jenny's beginning work on the physical design. Our meetings are always spent in mini-chocolate chip cookies, mini-oatmeal raisin cookies, M&M's and this week the addition of mini-Snicker's and Truffles. We never go hungry!
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