Hutchinson, Kan. – They have celebrated the past, but now they are looking to the future. The Kansas Cosmosphere and 
Space Center’s Governing Board approved a revitalization plan Monday, with major emphasis on informal STEM education initiatives.
The master plan includes significant changes to the mission, programming, exhibits and building layout of the world-renowned space museum. The plan calls for completion in phases over five years, with an estimated total cost of $15 million. It also represents the first major capital improvements since 1997.
The museum previously operated with a mission of “Honoring the past and inspiring the future of space exploration.” Today’s mission represents a new era in the Cosmosphere’s history and reflects an increased focus on obtaining national and international visibility – especially for camp programs – creating curriculum-based informal science education experiences for school groups, and a need to rebrand and refocus one the country’s largest museums dedicated to space history into a Center of international significance.
It was also announced Tuesday that Dr. Ed Berger, retiring President of Hutchinson Community College, has accepted an engagement with the Cosmosphere as Chair of Revitalization Initiatives. A most respected executive in the Hutchinson community with 45 years of experience as a community college instructor and administrator, Dr. Berger possesses not only the experience, but the passion and drive to lead the charge for the Cosmosphere’s future.
As Chair of Revitalization Initiatives, Dr. Berger will work together with Cosmosphere management to develop strategic, executable plans for each phase of the master plan, and collaborate with Cosmosphere leadership on the development of future informal education initiatives.
The revitalization effort started after the 50th anniversary celebration in 2012, as Cosmosphere leadership recognized that key changes had to take place. The Governing Board named the RTF, comprised of local leaders and Cosmosphere management, to analyze options for growth and programming. The RTF engaged expert museum planners and architects Verner Johnson Inc. (VJI) of Boston, Mass., in partnership with cultural economics firm Leisure Business Associates of Richmond, Va., to assist in developing the revitalization plan. Both firms bring decades of museum planning expertise to the process.
A report conducted by the University of Kansas’ (KU) Jayhawk Consulting team was presented at a meeting of the Cosmosphere’s Governing Board, May 19. The team evaluated the Cosmosphere’s economic impact on the state of Kansas as a cultural and educational institution. The research was conducted to assist the RTF in evaluating the final report from VJI and assessing the value of revitalization before making a presentation to the Cosmosphere’s Governing and Foundation Boards.
The KU team reports that every $1 invested in the organization will yield almost $2 in return to the state of Kansas. This figure is based on a formula that is widely accepted and used by a variety of research agencies, including the State of Kansas.
Many changes will take place including an area for interactive displays for children and areas to learn. That area will be located in the routunda just before entering the Hll of Space Museum. Current, relevant, constantly changing displays will educate visitors about what is happening right now in the world of space exploration. The creation of dedicated areas within the Cosmosphere’s building that offer updated, relevant, interactive experiences for visitors – specifically young children (8 years and younger) – will make return visits fresh and rewarding. Older explorers will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of innovative technology subjects, connecting hands-on experiences with real-life applications in promising career fields.
Revitalization of existing galleries in the Hall of Space Museum is also addressed in the overall concept, and the Cosmosphere will update the look and content of these galleries to include immersive areas, combining historic artifacts with multimedia techniques, and refreshing the overall museum experience for visitors. Updates in technology and programming in Dr. Goddard’s Lab and the Justice Planetarium will insure that the total visitor experience at the Cosmosphere is truly unlike anywhere else on Earth.