This year’s proposed budget represents a 25% cut to cultural grants funding to more than 400 local cultural organizations, amounting to a total reduction of $2.3 million of support for the grants programs of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Combined with last year’s 15% cut, this would be a total reduction of about 40% or a loss of $3.7 million.

It is critically important to let the County Commissioners know the impact that County funding has on its cultural organizations. Together, our voices can make a difference.

Here’s what you can do to get involved NOW:

• Attend and register to speak at the two upcoming County Commission Budget Hearings: Monday, September 13^th and Thursday, September 23^rd each at 5:01 p.m. in the County Commission Chamber, 111 N.W. 1^st Street, 2^nd Floor.

• As a supporter of the Museum, write or call your County Commissioners and urge them to support the County’s cultural organizations by not reducing funding. (Sample message available for download here).

• Click here for a complete list of County Commissioners.

• Send e-mails and make calls to your business and personal contacts educating them on the issue and asking them to also take action.

• Continue being involved in the budget discussions that are taking place from this moment on.

• Make sure to mention the Museum in your communications.

On behalf of cultural organizations in Miami-Dade County, we thank you for your rise to action on this important issue and for your ongoing support of the Miami Science Museum.

Sincerely,

Gillian Thomas
President and CEO
Miami Science Museum

Miami Science Museum (MiaSci) is proud to partner with Field Operations, and is on track to showcase a unique combination of traditional architecture and scientific design. MiaSci and the Miami Art Museum (MAM) have jointly appointed Field Operations to design the shared plaza between the Museums. The Plaza will serve as a centerpiece with lushly planted public gardens that overlook Biscayne Bay and the Park.

“We are delighted to be recognized with the prestigious 2010 National Design Award, and are very excited about working with both MiaSci and the Miami Art Museum to design a world-class public space and garden,” said James Corner, Principal, Field Operations. “The site is spectacular, and the adjacency of these two amazing buildings sets up a unique opportunity for Miami to enjoy a new and extraordinary social nexus.”

Field Operations is a New York based firm leading in innovative landscape-architecture and urban-design practice. Spearheaded by James Corner, the firm has consistently delivered strong pieces of contemporary work to clients across the globe. Among Field Operations’ most recognized pieces are the High Line in New York City, the pools and gardens of City Center in Las Vegas, Fresh Kills Park on Staten Island and soon, Museum Plaza in Downtown Miami.

Goodyear delivered an 8,000-pound, nearly 12-foot tall tire to MiaSci today for the upcoming Fuels of the Future exhibit. Tires such as these are generally used on large trucks that mine tar sands, a material that contains oil. The tire will be on display in the exhibit as an engineering marvel and a symbol of the extremes we go to for oil.

Debuting in July 2010, Fuels of the Future addresses one of the key issues behind climate change, transportation, by exploring alternatives to today’s gasoline powered vehicles. The exhibit will also feature a solar-powered car, an air-powered car, digital media and hands-on activities. Visitors will even have the chance to build and test their own solar- and air-powered cars out of Legos!

Fuels of the Future is the latest component of MiaSci’s Energy Tracker exhibition, which includes the existing Energy Dance Floor, and the Human Yo-Yo and Giant Lever in the Energy Garden. The Energy Tracker is part of MiaSci’s ongoing efforts to prototype new ways to deliver content about alternative energy sources, in support of the new Museum slated to open in 2014.

Stop by MiaSci to check out the Giant Tire and the rest of the Energy Tracker exhibit soon!

Aerial View of the future Museum Park with MiaSci and MAM

Dan Bell, co-chair of the Miami Science Museum board of trustees believes the economic impact of Museum Park factored into the positive Omni CRA vote. “The City of Miami and Miami-Dade County understand the importance of fast-tracking the development of Museum Park,” said Mr. Bell. “In addition to providing our community with world-class venues for arts, culture, and science exploration, Museum Park will stimulate much needed job creation and economic growth in our urban core.”

Once home to the Port of Miami and oil storage tanks, Museum Park’s bay front parcel of land must be tested and cleared of any possible environmental contamination before construction can be started. The remediation agreement will provide for the environmental site assessment and corresponding site rehabilitation of Museum Park.

The new MiaSci is moving ahead rapidly! With the support of the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County and the community, the new Museum is on track to be a one-of-a-kind facility, inspiring its visitors to learn, share and embrace science and technology.

BY ANDRES VIGLUCCI

aviglucci@MiamiHerald.com

The Miami Science Museum has finalized designs for a new $275 million home on Biscayne Boulevard that will combine a retro-modern look with sleek, undulating contemporary lines and an expansive open-air feel, while incorporating the latest green and interactive technologies.

“The most distinctive design of any building in Miami, from every direction,” the museum boasts in fundraising materials prepared for prospective donors.

The boast may not be far off the mark.

The museum — which plans to add an aquarium at its new home — released renderings of the new, five-level complex’s final schematic designs by noted London-based Grimshaw Architects that represent a significant refinement of conceptual images released eight months ago.

For the first time, the renderings also place the new science museum together with its neighbor, the planned Miami Art Museum designed by the Swiss firm of Herzog & de Meuron, providing a preview of the ensemble in its intended, park-like setting.

The two museum buildings are to anchor the new Museum Park on the 29-acre bayfront site of what is now half-derelict Bicentennial Park, at Northeast 10th Street and Biscayne Boulevard.

The design strives for maximum exposure to the outdoors, seizing on stunning views, the South Florida climate and the park setting to provide a welcoming embrace to visitors, said Science Museum Director Gillian Thomas.

The final plan comprises four interconnected, terraced structures: an oblong “Living Core” containing the aquarium and a massive Gulf Stream tank, a striking new planetarium orb overlooking Biscayne Boulevard, and two squared-off wings in a “V” containing exhibition space, classrooms and cafes. These main structures would be set around a soaring, open-air atrium lined with terraces and shaded by a canopy punctured by skylights.

“It’s an impressive building, but not impressive-frightening,” Thomas said. “We’ve tried to blend it in with the surroundings much more. Nothing’s hidden.”

The plans were endorsed by the city’s Urban Development Review Board last week with some minor conditions, and museum officials hope for final approval from the Miami City Commission this fall. That would put the museum on track for start of construction in the fall of 2011, Thomas said. The complex would open in 2014.

Release of the final schematics also marks the start of major fundraising for the project, which will be underwritten by $175 million in proceeds from voter-approved Miami-Dade County bonds — although the county has not yet decided when it will release the earmarked funds.

The museum, which must raise the balance of $100 million privately, already has some $23 million in pledges, according to a recent county report.

Although fundraising has been hurt by the economic recession, county and museum officials acknowledge, the project remains on track and backers say they’re confident the full amount will be raised.

“This is pretty much as planned,” said Michael Spring, the county’s director of cultural affairs. “When you get the design to this point, it’s the right time to talk to major donors.”

Together with an outdoor “science playground,” the complex totals 250,000 square feet, covering a footprint of about four acres.

The buildings would be clad in gleaming tiles. The Living Core, which would face the park, would be topped by an open canopy shading a series of outdoor gardens and aquarium exhibits designed by Thinc, a New York firm. The Living Core structure comes to a prow-like point angled at the bay.

At the structure’s core is a massive Gulf Stream tank with expansive views of the park and Biscayne Bay beyond it. As in the earlier conceptual plans, the bottom of the tank would be cut off at an angle and glassed in to provide dramatic upwards views of swimming sharks and rays.

The new planetarium dome — to be lit up with celestial projections after dark — would rise above Biscayne Boulevard where it meets the on-ramp to the MacArthur Causeway to Miami Beach.

Between the Boulevard and museum’s west wing, which would house a cafe among other amenities, the plans call for a marsh-like retention pond that would hold rainwater coming off the complex for watering the landscaping and other uses.

The entire complex, in fact, is supposed to act as a demonstration of ecological and sustainability principles, harnessing energy from water, wind and sun to power exhibits and conserve resources. The new museum will also incorporate wildlife exhibits popular in its present incarnation on South Miami Avenue on a portion of the former grounds of Vizcaya.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/27/1652263/final-design-for-miami-science.html#ixzz0pFNctj8B

The ongoing operations of the Miami Science Museum, and the off-site spending of resident and tourist visitors associated with their visit, will generate total annual economic impacts to the City of Miami estimated at nearly $60.5 million in expenditures, of which $26.6 million would be wages and salaries; and 635 jobs. The annual museum operating impacts to Miami-Dade County are estimated at $95.4 million in expenditures, of which $38.2 million in wages and salaries; and a total of 914 jobs.

Most importantly, the community development and educational benefits of the new Miami Science Museum may have the most profound and long-lasting impacts on the community.  This project will enhance the knowledge of and interest in science and technology and will enhance the City of Miami as a place to live and work, thus improving all aspects of the local economy and community.

For the full report, please visit: Miami Science Museum Impact Report – April 2010

Brenda Nestor Castellano, Trish and Dan Bell, Swanee and Paul DiMare

Miami Science Museum celebrated its eighth annual Gala, A Science Affair, at The Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne on Saturday, February 27th. Champion benefactors included Philanthropic Chairs Trish and Dan Bell and Gold Sponsor Suffolk Construction Company, Inc. Four honorees were given prestigious awards representing the evening’s theme. Foley Arthur “Jack” Horkheimer received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his role as first and longtime Executive Director of the Space Transit Planetarium and creator of the weekly Star Gazer TV show; Museum Trustees Electra and Peter J. Spillis, A.I.A. received the Miami Science Museum Award for their many years of service and support, both to the programs of the existing Museum and in planning the new Museum; Former City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz received the Visionary Award for creating a vision for Museum Park as the cultural heart of a regenerated downtown Miami; and AT&T received the Vanguard Award for its leadership and support of the Museum’s Youth Programs in Academic Enrichment. Co-Chairs Brenda Nestor Castellano and Swanee DiMare worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event, which raised nearly $500,000.

The New Miami Science Museum

The Miami Science Museum Construction Committee, in conjunction with representatives of the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County, have awarded Suffolk Construction Company, Inc., in partnership with Webcor Builders of San Francisco, the contract to manage construction of the new 250,000 square-foot Miami Science Museum in Miami’s Museum Park.

The key components of the new Museum will include a 35,000 square-foot aquarium, a planetarium, and approximately 55,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor science exhibits. The new green Museum was designed as a highly sustainable, LEED-certified building that will reduce energy costs and serve as a showcase for the most state-of-the-art energy management and control technology in the country.

With Suffolk and Webcor on board, the Museum is well prepared. Suffolk is a national company with a very strong local track record. Webcor brings invaluable skills to this particular project, from their recent experience in completing the award-winning California Academy of Sciences, one of very few institutions that, like the new Miami Science Museum, has both an aquarium and a planetarium. With their combined experience, and the support of the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County, the Miami Science Museum is on track to be a one-of-a-kind facility that will serve as a leading example of sustainable building.

Construction Management Contract Signing (L to R): Gillian Thomas, President and CEO, Miami Science Museum; John Fish, Chairman and CEO, Suffolk Construction Company, Inc.; Walter Revell, Construction Committee, Miami Science Museum; Andy Ball, President and CEO, Webcor Builders; Ford Gibson, Construction Committee, Miami Science Museum; Walid Wahab, Executive and Construction Committees, Miami Science Museum; and John Harrison, Construction Committee, Miami Science Museum.

The turbine will ultimately move to the new Museum downtown, where it will contribute to on-site energy generation and support programming around renewable energy.

The turbine is a 1.5 kilowatt GALE T1 manufactured by Tangarie, installed by local vendor Blue Alternative Energy. With a cut-in speed of 4.25 miles per hour, on a typical South Florida day it is capable of meeting about 10% of the energy requirement of an average South Florida home.

Although not connected to the grid at the current location, the turbine is part of a hybrid system that includes a small solar panel and a battery, and is used to power sensor-triggered lighting on the turbine, which comes on at dusk.

Gillian
MiaSci’s President and CEO