Final Report to the Faculty Senate of the Task Force on Museums and Performing Arts

Gus Kousoulas, Laura Lindsay, Ravi Rau, Judith Schieboutsubmitted May 3, 2011

Museums: Rural Life Museum Shaw Center Museum of Art science museums, collections of natural history

Faculty Senate Meeting, October 3, 2011

Collection of Amphibians and ReptilesLouisiana Arthropod MuseumCollection of BirdsEthnology-Archaeology CollectionCollection of FishesMineralogy and Petrology Collection of Genetic ResourcesCollection of Fossil InvertebratesLichen Herbarium

Log Library and Core Repository Mycological Herbarium Micropaleontolgy Center for Excellence in Palynology Collection of Fossil Protists Textile and Costume Museum Vascular Plant Herbarium Collection of Mammals Vertebrate Paleontology Collection

Valuable resources for teaching, research and study 1999 Gov. Foster, House Bill 826

Building Program and Site Selection

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Louisiana Museum of Natural HistoryExisting Facility

Mineralogy and Petrology Collections in the Department of Geology

Palynology Collection

Louisiana State Arthropod Museum

Louisiana Geological Survey Log Library and Core Repository

Louisiana Museum of Natural HistoryExisting Facility Locations

Foster Hall

Howe- Russell

Life Sciences

Log Library and Core Repository

Human Ecology

Gym Armory (Cox Communications

Center)

LSU Museum of Natural Science Space Holdings by Category

Laboratory 17,819 nasfOffice 5,527 nasfStudy 176 nasfGeneral Use 5,829 nasfSupport 5,339 nasf

Total 34,690 nasf

“From the standpoint of a university/state museum,

the collections at LSU

are superb.”

“The collections contain unique specimens/ objects that would be iconic that would excite the public to visit…: spectacular minerals, diverse items from many cultures, textile materials, and a variety of specimens that are currently not exhibited but that would be the envy of many major museums.” 

“Many, if not most, specimens and objects are irreplaceable their value measured in the tens of millions of dollars if they were on the market. The value to Louisiana is incalculable.”

“At LSU, the frozen tissue collection provides another excellent example …. The tissue collection is impacting research throughout the world and is clearly one of the most important such collections on the planet.” 

Findings:1 vital that they be preserved in perpetuity on the main campus for research even when extended to displays and traveling exhibits that benefit broader community and state.2 other uses of the collections, e.g. public outreach and school groups, …. an accredited museum that also has a public face will require substantial additional space, staff and funds ….

3 a few collections in good shape, many others need urgent attention to protect collections. 4 a central museum that is accredited by

the American Association of Museums and housed in a single attractive, modern building on central campus would of course be an important addition to LSU, add to its standing as an asset to the state and its people.

5 any such project will require a senior administrator such as a Vice-Provost or Vice-Chancellor.

6 no forum for the various curators of the Museum of Natural History to get

together in regular meetings, no unified platform.

7 LSU's current policies on fund-raising are unduly restrictive, tying the hands of individual curators.

8 Outreach programs and traveling exhibits valuable.

9 Models: in Oklahoma and Florida

*

LSU Museum of Natural HistoryProject Component: Unit Unit $ Total Cost

Demolition……………………………………………. 1 lump $75,000 $75,000Abatement……………………………………………. 0 gsf $0 $0New Construction…………………………………..192,500 gsf $260 $50,050,000Gallery Space (Premium)………………………………50,000 gsf $115 $5,750,000Utility Infrastructure………………………………… 1 lump $625,000 $625,000Fiber Optic……………………………………….. 1 lump $225,000 $225,000Site Work……………………………………………………………1 lump $925,000 $925,000

Building Total……………………………………………..…$57,650,000

Parking Mitigation…………………………………….500 spaces $2,475 $1,237,500Rounding…………………………………………. 1 lump $0

Construction Total…………………………………..$58,887,500(Construction Cost/SF) $306

Planning & Design (10%)……………..……………….……………………..$5,888,750Equipment …....…...………..….……………………………………………$3,500,000Contingency (10%)………………..………………….……………………….$5,888,750Percent for Art (1%)………..…..…………………………………………………………$588,875

Planning, etc.Total……………………………………………………………..$15,866,375Subtotal (Const. + Planning)……….. $74,753,875

Bond Sale (5%)………………………………. $3,737,694Misc. Cost………………………………………………..$8,431

Total Project Costs…………………………………………….…$78,500,000

Louisiana Museum of Natural HistoryPreliminary Cost Estimate – Generic Site

Louisiana Museum of Natural HistorySite Considerations• Compliance

with 2003 Campus Master Plan

• Easy access and identification by 1st time visitors

• Proximity and easy access to campus core

• Access to parking facilities

Site C

Site B

Site A

Recommendations:

1 University should assign responsibility at the vice chancellor level for

development and oversight of policies … VC-Research?

2 he/she have an advisory group consisting of curators, faculty, …

3 An experienced museum registrar who is knowledgeable about collections

valuable.

4 Increased and coordinated marketing of programs, exhibitions, and traveling

exhibits.

5 Increase security and accreditable level of care.

6 Create centralized inventory of collections.

7 Establish policies and procedures for ownership, documentation and maintenance of objects.

8 Streamline application and approval of grants.

9 Obtain priority fundraising status and flexible policies for units that must self- generate support.

10 Encourage public supporters to help in fundraising, donating time, etc.11 Seek accreditation of the Louisiana Museum of Natural History.12 Plan, raise funds, and move towards a new building to house the above collections, still located centrally on campus but with modern facilities and safeguards.