September 24, 2015
ReceFved
S~P ~2~15
Lizzy Melton
Seattle Center Executive Office
305 Harrison Street, Suite 215
Seattle, WA 98109
Subject:
Seattle Center
Administration
io
MOSA RFP to Seattle Center for the Next 50 Pavilion & Annex and
the International Pavilion
Dear Lizzy Melton,
Enclosed are eight hard copies of the MOSA RFP for the above referenced facilities.
Please let me know if you should need any further information.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Leslie James
425-239-4786
MOSA (Museum of Special Art)
RECEIVED
Via email at 2.24pm, Sept. 24, 2015
MUSEUM OF
SPECIAL ART
9/20/15
MOSA Proposal for Seattle Center
The Next 50 Pavilion & Annex or
The International Fountain Pavilion
Contact Information
Leslie James, MOSA President/Executive Director, [email protected], 425-239-2786
Angela Shannon, MOSA Director, [email protected], 206-949-2513
Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
Table of Contents
A. MOSA Overview, Structure & Purpose .........................................................................1
B. Proposed Use of Next 50 Pavillion & Annex or International Fountain Pavilion ....7
C. Management & Operation of MOSA ............................................................................ 11
D. Financial Return to Seattle Center ................................................................................ 15
E. Contribution to Seattle Center Purpose Statement & Goals ...................................... 17
F. Proposed Implementation Schedule ............................................................................. 18
G. Working with Seattle Center ......................................................................................... 19
H. Financial Information ..................................................................................................... 21
I. Exhibition History & Work Samples ............................................................................. 21
Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
A. MOSA Overview, Structure & Purpose
Provide a general overview of your organization, including the
organization’s structure and purpose.
The Museum of Special Art (MOSA) is being formed as a nonprofit museum to meet the
current needs of children and adults with disabilities by providing access to the visual
arts, educational opportunities, career development, art internships and work
opportunities for artists with disabilities. The Museum and its services will be open to
all members of our community to provide inclusion opportunities and disability
awareness in the areas of the visual arts so our community has opportunities to
recognize and appreciate the talents of these special artists. Specialized programming
with a foundation in special education will bring dynamic and innovative educational
programs and exhibits to support K-12 students and adults with disabilities located
both domestically and internationally and will include a permanent collection of
artwork from NW Special Artists of Washington State.
MOSA will be operated by dedicated individuals who have experience working with
individuals with disabilities and provide educational teaching opportunities for local
active visual artists from our community. It will further collaborate with our local
universities to provide internships and mentorships to university students who are
pursuing careers that include working with individuals with disabilities. In
collaboration with Museums, corporations, and other organizations, MOSA will bring
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
forth the most unique exhibitions that are both heartfelt, inspirational, and educational
by artists with disabilities that are beyond our imaginations.
Historical Preservation of the Artwork Created by Disability Artists
Accessibility in the area of the visual arts can be a challenging objective to achieve for
these artists. Because of the physical and/or developmental challenges these special
artists face, it can be difficult to access the visual arts. Many have limited access to art
programs, materials, adaptive equipment and may not have the advocacy skills needed
to care for their artwork and submit their work for exhibitions. Consequently the
historical preservation of the art work is not achieved and the work may never be
exhibited nor properly preserved.
The artwork may further be mishandled, damaged, and discarded by others who do not
know how to properly preserve the work. The artwork in the photo below is an
example of artwork that was improperly stored with one piece placed on top of the
other without proper care or protection. Now more than ever it is imperative that we
preserve the historical value of this artwork created by these special artists for future
generations to come. MOSA is here to meet this challenge and provide support and
mentorship to these artists in the area of preservation so the artwork is carefully cared
for and stored appropriately to preserve the quality of the art pieces as noted
in museum standards regarding the preservation, storage, and care of artwork.
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
Objectives
The Art Itself
MOSA will provide services to lesser known artists, emerging artists and recognized
master disability artists. The museum will provide mentorship to these special artists to
assure their work is of high quality and is professionally framed, preserved, and
adheres to the artistic standards that are used by professional artists and museums in
the art industry.
Art from the Heart
The artwork itself is so profound and inspirational and comes from a unique viewpoint
of artists with disabilities. Many of these artists who have developmental, physical
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
disabilities or traumatic brain injuries who face day to day functional challenges rise
above all odds to create the most beautiful masterpieces. Because of the limited access
in the arts due to their disabilities, these pieces are rarely ever seen by the public. These
masterpieces are created by disability artists who may use tubes on their hands to help
them paint or paint with their mouths by manipulating a paint brush with their teeth or
with adaptive equipment attached to their foot which can hold a brush. These are the
art pieces created from special artists who have cognitive deficits, neurological deficits,
and communication deficits and from disability artists who have struggled with
behavioral issues who have had a difficult time feeling like they have a place in our
community. Many of these individuals with disabilities have extreme deficits that
make it nearly impossible to access the arts without specialized programming
or disability advocacy but yet somehow these beautiful pieces of artwork emerge from
the very essence of their being and comes from the heart. All the artwork presented in
this proposal is by these very artists with disabilities. .
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
The Families of Children with Special Needs
The insurmountable hardship and stress parents find
themselves in while raising children with special needs
can be so great. It is often very difficult to find
specialized programming in the area of the visual arts
for their children that will provide their child the
accommodations and modifications needed to
participate with success in such programming. These
families may spend countless hours and days each year
taking their children to medical appointments,
therapies and interventions and often find they have
limited access to recreational services in the visual arts
that can provide the much needed joy and support their children need. MOSA will fill
that need and will provide K-12 educational opportunities for special needs children. It
will provide these children the support and adaptive equipment they may need to
access the visual arts and be able to create their own little masterpieces. The museum
will provide inspiration to these families through exhibitions of the work of other artists
with disabilities.
The Museum of Special Art
The MOSA, Museum of Special Art is the first visual arts disability museum of its kind
in the State of Washington and the entire United States. It will strive for a commitment
to excellence with a foundation in continuous quality improvement to meet the current
museum standards of the American Alliance of Museums.
The main objective of MOSA is to develop a state of the art museum facility in the State
of Washington that provides services, programs, and exhibition opportunities to artists
with disabilities with a foundation in promoting inclusion and disability awareness and
services to all members of our community.
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
Mission & Vision
MOSA's Mission is to make art accessible to all individuals with disabilities by
developing art exhibitions, art programs, and educational opportunities that promote
disability awareness and inclusion in our community.
The vision of MOSA will be to be to engage artistically all members of our community
of all ages by providing inclusion opportunities in the area of disability arts to bring
forth the preservation, recognition, and appreciation of the artwork created by these
Special Artists.
MOSA
Company Overview
The MOSA Museum is a new nonprofit disability art museum located in the State of
Washington. The organization structure of the museum consists of a Board of
Directors, an Executive Director and other related employee positions.
MOSA will be the very first disability museum with a foundation in the visual arts in
Washington State and the entire United States and will provide a framework for other
disability art museums located in the United States and Internationally.
The museum will provide services to artists with disabilities in the following areas.
•
•
•
•
Exhibitions
Permanent Art Collections
Career development in the arts
Educational Programming for K-12 students and adults with disabilities and all
others in our community
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
MOSA will provide general services to all members of our community in these areas as
well.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Disability Arts
Tourism
Museum Membership
Special Events
Museum Store
Student Internships
Job Opportunities in the visual arts
B. Plan of Proposed Use of Next 50
Pavilion & Annex or International
Pavilion
Provide a detailed plan of your proposed use and how you are
proposing to include the Next 50 Pavilion and/or Annex or the
*International Pavilion in that use.
This proposal is for the use of the entire Next 50 Pavilion and Annex which includes
both site A & B. An architectural design and plan will be developed for the interior of
this site to reconfigure it into an art museum in accordance with the Seattle Center,
Century 21 Master Plan. The requirements for this space will include an area for
exhibition spaces, art classes and special events. The outdoor space is requested for use
for special events or outdoor exhibits. The use and services of the MOSA facility will be
for all members of our community of all ages.
*This proposal is being requested for the primary choice of the Next 50 Pavilion &
Annex. If it is not available, we request consideration for the use of The International
Pavilion.
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
Our Services
The museum will hold several annual art exhibitions in our local community through
collaboration and partnership with museums, galleries, art organizations, private
individual collectors, and disability artists.
• Hold 6-12 annual art exhibitions from lesser known artists, emerging artists and
recognized masters.
• Bring forth dynamic art exhibitions to the King County area from local, domestic,
and international disability artists through research and special exhibitions.
• Will have a permanent collection for NW Special Artists from Washington State.
• Will include a rotating gallery of artists with Autism from across the United
States.
• Gallery Tours for local residents and visitors.
• Museum Store displaying artwork of artists with disabilities and special
education materials in the visual arts.
• Will have a MOSA Community Gallery for exhibition of K-12 student art work
from our local schools.
• Will have an artists in residence program with hands on educational art
programs led by established artists from our community.
• Educational outreach programs for K-12 students in Special Education with
inclusion opportunities for all students.
• Training Opportunities for K-12 Special Education Teachers and professionals on
best practices for working with students with special needs in the areas of the
visual arts.
• Internship opportunities for university students from our local colleges who are
pursuing careers in special education, visual arts, art therapy, speech therapy,
occupational therapy, physical therapy, aba therapy, psychology and other
related fields that integrate the visual arts in their therapies and provide service
to individuals with disabilities.
• Rental space for special events
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING – CHILDREN/TEENS/ADULTS
The Museum will offer educational programming in the arts for K-12 students and
adults with disabilities by having educational classes in the visual arts and an open
studio time led by local area artists designed specifically with a foundation in special
education and will be open to all individuals in our community to promote inclusion.
MOSA Community Gallery
Through collaboration with our local school districts for K-12 students, special
education students will have opportunities to showcase and exhibit their work in the
MOSA Community Gallery.
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES - OPENING RECEPTIONS
The exhibitions will provide inclusion opportunities to emerging, established, and
recognized special
artists as they present
themselves and their
artwork to our
community.
By providing these
artists
accommodations and
the ability to sell their
artwork during the
opening reception,
these special artists
have further
opportunities to:
 Engage
socially with
others and be
recognized by our
community for
their artistic
achievements and
talents.
• Earn some
income to
purchase
additional art
supplies or
funding for
therapies or
other much
needed items.
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
• Obtain career opportunities and job skills in the visual arts as the artists learn the
business aspects of selling their artwork to our community.
C. Management & Operation of MOSA
Describe how you will manage and operate the facility, including days
and hours of operation, staffing and activity plan and/or event
schedule (if relevant).
The museum facility will have procedural standards for the day to day operations of the
facility with regard to ticket sales, museum store inventory and sales, memberships,
exhibitions, special programs, art classes, and proper care and handling of artwork.
Staffing
As a nonprofit entity, the MOSA Board will provide oversight of the museum. The
initial management team will consist of an Executive Director and Museum Front Desk
Associate. The Executive Director will operate and run all aspects of the museum with
assistance from the Museum Front Desk Associate. As the museum becomes more
established, the Board of Directors will determine the need for adding additional
employment positions as a Curator Director, Operations Director, Public Relations and
Marketing Director, Educational Director, Facility Manager, and Museum Store
Manager.
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MANAGEMENT TEAM (duties for operation of museum.)
Executive Director. The Executive Director is hired by the board of directors.
Responsibilities include:
• Advise the board and carry out tasks assigned by the board
• Oversee daily operations, project planning, and special events, working closely
with each program coordinator
• Personnel management (recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation and termination
of staff)
• Develop and manage the annual budget for board approval, including necessary
revisions
• Program development
• Supervision of artistic staff
• Develop network of support within the arts community
• Develop and implement outreach program
• The Executive Director will oversee, manage, and implement all aspects of the
museum's operations as marketing events, curating exhibits and the
development of educational programs and special events.
Museum Front Desk Associate is responsible for providing clerical support and
customer service as the first point of contact for visitors at MOSA.
Responsibilities include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Provide front desk services at MOSA
Provide excellent and timely customer service to everyone
Check in guests of special events and school groups
Answer phone calls and transfer calls to the appropriate staff member
Enter data and ticket sales for museum entry fees
Accept packages and ensure they are delivered to the appropriate personnel
Support museum shop operations
Keep front desk work surfaces and counter tops clean, stocked and organized
Promote and sell museum memberships
In initial phase, provide support for the setup and take down of special events or
exhibitions
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
Operating Hours
The tentative operating hours of the MOSA museum will be Monday through
Saturday from 10-6pm.
Event Schedule (Below is a tentative event schedule).
February 2015 Wine and Art Gala Fundraiser
March 2016
 Museum Grand Opening
 NW Special Artists Gallery Exhibition
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Visual Arts Classes
 Open studio arts and crafts for children (daily)
 Student Community Gallery Exhibit
April 2016
 Autism Awareness Exhibition
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Visual Arts Classes
 Open studio arts and crafts for children (daily)
 Student Community Gallery Exhibit
May 2016
 Featured Artist Exhibit
 Student Community Gallery Exhibit
 Visual Arts Classes
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Open studio arts and crafts for children (daily)
June 2016
 Featured Artist Exhibit
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Visual Arts Classes
 Open studio arts and crafts for children (daily)
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July 2016
 Featured Artist Exhibit
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Visual Arts Classes
 Open studio arts and crafts for children (daily)
August 2016
 Featured Artist Exhibit
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Visual Arts Classes
 Open studio arts and crafts for children (daily)
September 2016
 Featured Artist Exhibit
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Visual Arts Classes
 Open studio arts and crafts for children (daily)
October 2016
 Featured Artist Exhibit
 Student Community Gallery Exhibit
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Visual Arts Classes
 Open studio arts and crafts for children (daily)
November 2016
 Featured Artist Exhibit
 Student Community Gallery Exhibit
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Visual Arts Classes
 Open arts and crafts for children
December 2016
 Holiday Exhibition
 Art Open Studio Classes
 Visual Arts Classes
 Open studio arts and crafts for children (daily)
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Museum of Special Art (MOSA)
D. Proposed Term & Financial Return to
Seattle Center
Outline the proposed term and financial return to Seattle Center.
Proposed Term/Monthly Rent
The Museum of Special Art is requesting a lease term for at least 3 years for the amount
of $1000 a month for the entire site of The Next 50 Pavilion and Annex and for the use
of the outdoor space for special outdoor events with the option to renew the lease.
The same terms are being requested for the use of the International Fountain Pavilion.
Capital Improvements
The MOSA Museum requests the Seattle Center to take into consideration that the
museum is a new nonprofit company that will be working with an architecture/interior
designer to make capital improvements to the facility by renovating the site to function
as a museum and improve the overall value of the facility.
Public Benefits
In addition the museum will provide great public benefits to individuals with
disabilities and will be providing a service to an underserved population in Seattle and
Washington State.
The museum will provide educational services to K-12 students in WA State and will
have a community gallery for these students where they will have opportunities to
exhibit their artwork year round. The museum will offer some free special events in the
areas of the visual arts to these students as well as discounted ticket rates and
occasional free tickets for students.
MOSA will further collaborate with our local universities in Washington State as UW,
Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University and will have an outreach program for
Washington State Universities and Community Colleges for internship opportunities
for students who are pursuing careers that include working with individuals with
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disabilities.
For many years, the Seattle Center provided center facilities to the VSA of Washington
which provided art services to individuals with disabilities. Since the closure of this
organization, many families and individuals with disabilities were left without these
much needed services and resources. MOSA will develop an outreach campaign to
restore these services in the visual arts and develop exhibition opportunities for artists
with disabilities and establish additional museum services for all members of our
community and abroad.
In Kind Services
MOSA will provide in the form of marketing in kind services to the Seattle Center. The
Seattle Center will be recognized in all of our marketing campaigns of exhibitions and
special events though advertising campaigns, on the MOSA website, and through social
media and email.
Parking Spaces
MOSA is requesting that two Seattle Center parking spaces be included in the lease
agreement.
Sublease of Facility
MOSA requests the ability to rent out defined areas of the museum to our local
community to support special events, artists in residence programs, or for special
exhibitions.
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E. Contribution to Seattle Center’s
Purpose & Goals
Explain how your proposal contributes to the Seattle Center Purpose
Statement and addresses the three primary goals outlined on page 1 of
the RFP.
MOSA aligns itself nicely with the Seattle Center’s purpose statement and three
primary goals. By being the first disability art museum in the State of Washington and
the entire United States, MOSA is a unique one of a kind museum that is not found
anywhere else in our local or national area. As a result, it will be highlighted
throughout the United States and will bring forth world renowned attention to
Washington State and the Seattle area by its unique and dynamic exhibitions. The
experience of these exhibitions will inspire every human spirit and will help us to build
strong communities that embrace diversity. As individuals read the story behind each
piece of artwork and the artist’s biographies, they will be moved and inspired by
individuals with disabilities. Through these exhibitions, MOSA will be the very first
disability art museum dedicated to preserve the historical significance and value of
these pieces of artwork so they can continue to be appreciated, enjoyed, and inspired by
many generations to come.
The MOSA facility further aligns itself with Seattle Center’s first goal of providing an
active public use for the Pavilion. The museum and its services will be open to all
members of our community.
The museum will be a complimentary fit for the Artists at Play Playground. Daily it
will offer a children’s open studio where young children can enjoy art activities at the
museum and the museum will be family orientated. It will offer free admission for
children under 6. Families will have additional opportunities to enjoy the art work of
K-12 students in the Community Gallery and access other museum services.
The museum is compatible with all other public art venues at the Seattle Center as the
Pacific Science Center, Dale Chihuly Garden and Glass, art galleries, community events,
and special events.
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The museum will offer not only educational outreach programs but artists in residence
programs where local artists will be invited to share their artistic talents with our
community through educational programs and special events.
For the past three years, the NW Special Artist’s program has been operating and
managed successfully in our local area and has been bringing forth spectacular art
exhibitions featuring Washington State artists with disabilities. In a similar manner,
MOSA will continue to operate to bring forth these unique art exhibitions to our local
area to provide support to disability artists and inclusion opportunities and disability
awareness to our community.
F. Proposed Implementation Schedule
Provide a proposed implementation schedule, assuming your proposal
is selected by the end of 2015.
December 2015



Review of Seattle Center Pavilion to identify requirements and plan needed to
develop the facility into a museum. Develop an architectural plan and interior
design for the facility in accordance with the Century 21 Master Plan.
Continue development of 2016 Wine & Art Gala Fundraiser.
Develop implementation plan and preparations needed for 2016 Grand Opening
January 2016 (Commencement of Lease)






MOSA will commence improvements and renovation of site to turn facility into a
state of the art museum.
Begin outreach program with disability artists in Washington State and the
United States to procure artwork for the museum for the NW Special Artists
Gallery and the Autism Gallery.
Commence K-12 student outreach program for Community Gallery Exhibitions.
Develop programming for Open Studio for adults and Open Studio for children.
Commence interviewing and hiring of support personnel for museum including
the artists in residence program.
Continue development of 2016 Wine & Art Gala Fundraiser
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

Develop an inventory tracking system for artwork received for NW Special Artist
Gallery, Autism Gallery and Community Gallery.
Hang artwork in NW Special Artists Gallery
February 2016





Develop 2016 Exhibition Schedule
Develop 2016 Visual Art Classes Schedule
Begin outreach program with disability artists in Washington State and United
States to procure artwork for the museum for NW Special Artists Gallery and
Autism Gallery.
Develop plan and requirements for museum gift store and acquisition of
materials.
Tentative month for Wine & Art Gala Fundraiser
March 2016



Museum Grand Opening
Hang artwork in Autism Gallery & Community Gallery
Display and hang artwork in MOSA museum gift store.
G. Working with Seattle Center
Identify how your team proposes working with the Seattle Center.
Elaborate on the roles that you would anticipate Seattle Center and
your team playing in communications, decision making, marketing,
branding and other elements of your proposal.
MOSA will work together with the Seattle Center to assure the facility and our activities
are aligned with the mission and goals of the Seattle Center.
We will build a positive relationship with the Seattle Center and collaborate and
communicate effectively in areas that pertain to the renovation of the facility to assure it
meets all of the Seattle Center’s guidelines. MOSA will communicate details of all our
activities and events to the Seattle Center to share marketing details of the activities at
the museum.
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Earlier this year, through the NW Special Artist’s program we had the opportunity to
collaborate with the Pacific Science Center to bring the “Through the Eyes of Autism”
exhibition. In bringing this exhibition to fruition, NW Special Artists worked closely
with the Pacific Science Center collaborating with their Curator, news department and
Marketing Director. We had to work closely with the Pacific Science Center and
communicate clearly and effectively to meet all the required deadlines. The artwork
had to be delivered on a certain agreed upon date and time and a detailed schedule was
set up for the entire event. We identified what art pieces would be delivered and
coordinated the date the exhibition would be hung and the date for the exhibition
opening down to the minutest of details. All marketing as postcards, news articles, and
podcasts for the exhibition were coordinated with the Pacific Science Center. It was
through this collaboration and partnership that the most beautiful Autism exhibit was
exhibited at the Seattle Center.
In a similar manner, the MOSA museum’s Executive Director will work together with
the Seattle Center to assure we adhere to all their requirements and meet all deadlines
in a timely manner.
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H. Financial Information
Provide specific information on your organization’s financial condition,
including anticipated loans or funding efforts necessary to implement
your proposal.
The funding for the MOSA museum will derive from public and private contributions,
museum membership sales, museum store sales, and special events. To implement this
proposal, the museum will hold two major fundraisers a year and will be applying for
state capital grants available for the arts as The Building for the Arts grant, 4Culture
grants, and other programs as the Craft3 program of Washington State.
I. Exhibition History & Work Samples
For the past three years, these special artists have been exhibiting their work in our local
area through the NW Special Artists' Program. Below are samples of artwork created
by NW Special Artists from past exhibitions.
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(Artwork created by Washington Artists with Disabilities)
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