VISITOR EXPERIENCE - The American Writers Museum
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VISITOR EXPERIENCE
CH RIS ABAN I EDWAR D AB B E Y AB IGAIL ADAMS H EN RY ADAMS JOH N ADAM S LÉO N IE ADAMS JAN E ADDAMS R ENATA ADLER JAM ES AG EE CO N R AD AIK EN
DAN IEL AL ARCÓ N EDWAR D ALB EE LOU ISA MAY ALCOT T S H ER MAN ALE XIE H O R ATIO ALG ER J R . N EL SO N ALG R EN ISAB EL ALLEN DE DO ROTHY ALLISO N J U LIA
ALVAR EZ A . R . AM M O NS RU DO LFO ANAYA S H ERWOO D AN DERSO N MAYA AN G ELOU J O H N AS H B ERY ISA AC ASIMOV J O H N JAM ES AU DU BO N J OS EPH AUS L AN DER
PAU L AUSTER MARY AUSTIN JAM ES BALDWIN TO N I C ADE BAM BAR A AM IRI BAR AK A AN DR E A BAR R E T T J O H N BARTH DO NALD BARTH ELM E WILLIAM BARTR AM
K ATHARIN E LEE BATES L . FR AN K BAU M AN N B E AT TIE HAR RIET B E ECH E R STOWE SAU L B ELLOW AM B ROS E B IERCE ELIZ AB E TH B IS H O P HARO LD B LOO M J U DY
B LU M E LOU IS E BOGAN JAN E BOWLES PAU L BOWLES T. C . BOYLE R AY B R ADB U RY WILLIAM B R ADFO R D AN N E B R ADSTR EE T N O R MAN B RIDWELL J OS EPH
B RO DS K Y LOU IS B RO M FIELD G E R ALDIN E B ROOKS GWEN DO LYN B ROO KS CHAR LES B ROCK DEN B ROWN DEE B ROWN MARGAR E T WIS E B ROWN STER LIN G A .
B ROWN WILLIAM CU LLEN B RYANT PE AR L S . B UCK EDGAR RICE B U R ROU G HS WILLIAM S . B U R ROUG HS OC TAVIA B UTLER RO B ERT O LEN B UTLER TRU MAN
C AP OTE ERIC C AR LE R ACH EL C ARSO N R AYM O N D C ARVER J O H N C AS E Y ANA C ASTILLO WILL A C ATH ER M ICHAEL CHABO N R AYMON D CHAN DLE R JOHN
CH EE VER MARY CH ESN UT CHAR LES W. CH ES N UT T K ATE CH O PIN SAN DR A CIS N EROS B E VER LY CLE ARY B ILLY CO LLINS INA COO LB RITH JAM ES FEN IM O R E
COO PER HART CR AN E STEPH EN CR AN E RO B ERT CR EELE Y VÍC TO R H ER NÁN DEZ CRUZ COU NTEE CU LLEN E . E . CU M MINGS M ICHAEL CU N N IN G HAM RICHAR D
H EN RY DANA J R . E DWIDG E DANTICAT R EB ECC A HAR DIN G DAVIS HARO LD L . DAVIS SAM U EL R . DEL ANY DO N DELILLO TO M IE DEPAO L A PE TE DE X TER J U NOT
DÍA Z PH ILIP K . DICK JAM ES DICKE Y EM ILY DICKINSO N J OAN DIDIO N AN N IE DILL AR D W. S . DI PIERO E . L . DOC TO ROW IVAN DOIG H . D. (HILDA DOOLIT TLE)
Our Mission
J O H N DOS PASSOS FR EDERICK DOU G L ASS TH EODOR E DR E ISE R ALLEN DRU RY W. E . B . DU BOIS AN DR E DU B US II PAU L L AU R EN CE DU N BAR STEPH EN DU N N
The mission of the American Writers Museum is to
RICHAR D EB ER HART J O NATHAN EDWAR DS J EN N IFER EGAN LOR E N E ISE LE Y T. S . ELIOT R ALPH ELLISO N R ALPH WALDO EM ERSO N LOU ISE E R DRICH MARTIN
engage the public in celebrating American writers and
ES PADA J E FFR E Y E UG E NIDES JAM ES T. FAR R ELL WILLIAM FAU LK N ER EDNA FER B ER F. SCOT T FITZG ER ALD RO B ERT FITZG ER ALD LOU IS E FITZH U G H MARTIN
exploring their influence on our history, our identity,
FL AVIN J O H N GOU LD FLE TCH ER HORTON FOOTE J O NATHAN SAFR AN FO ER ESTH ER FO R B ES RICHAR D FO R D B ENJAM IN FR AN K LIN JONATHAN FR ANZE N
our culture, and our daily lives.
CHAR LES FR A ZIER IAN FR A ZIER B E T T Y FRIEDAN RO B ERT FROST WILLIAM GADDIS ER N EST J . GAIN ES RUTH STILES GAN N E T T CRISTINA GARCIA WILLIAM
GASS TH EO DO R E S EUSS G EIS EL ELLEN G ILCH RIST CHAR LOT TE PER KINS G ILMAN ALLEN G INS B ERG ELLEN G L ASGOW SUSAN G L ASPE LL J U LIA G L ASS LOU IS E
G LÜ C K WILIAM GOLDMAN PAU L G O O D M A N JA I M Y G O R D O N U LYS S E S S . G R A N T S H I R L E Y A N N G R AU ZANE GREY JOHN GRISHAM DAV I D G U T E R S O N
A . B . G UTH RIE J R . J ESSIC A HAG EDO R N ALE X HALE Y DO NALD HALL ALE X AN DER HAM ILTO N DAS H IELL HAM M E T T LOR R AIN E HANSB E R RY PAU L HARDING
M ICHAEL S . HAR PER B R E T HARTE NATHANIE L HAW THOR N E RO B ERT HAYDEN S H IR LE Y HA ZZ AR D L AFC ADIO H E AR N ANTH O NY H ECHT L AR RY H EIN EMAN N
J OS EPH H ELLER LILLIAN H ELLMAN ER N EST H EM IN GWAY ALEKSAN DAR H EM O N PATRICK H E N RY J O H N H ERS E Y J UAN FELIPE H ER R ER A OSC AR H IJ U ELOS
RO B ERT H ILLYER CH ESTE R HIM ES EDWAR D H IRSCH DAN IEL H O FFMAN O LIVER WEN DELL H O LM ES K HALED H OSS EIN I RICHAR D HOWAR D FAN NY H OWE IRVIN G
H OWE J U LIA WAR D H OWE WILLIAM DE AN H OWELL S L AN GSTO N H U G H ES ZOR A N E ALE H U RSTON J O H N IRVING WAS H IN GTO N IRVIN G S H IR LE Y JACKSO N
HAR RIE T JACO BS JOSE PHIN E JACOBSE N H EN RY JAM ES WILLIAM JAM ES R AN DALL JAR R ELL TH O MAS J EFFERSO N G IS H J EN SAR AH O R N E J E WE T T HA J IN
ADAM J O H NSO N CHAR LES J O H NSO N CROCKE T T J O H NSO N DEN IS J O H NSO N JAM ES WELDO N J O H NSO N J OS EPH IN E WINS LOW J O H NSO N E DWAR D P. JON ES
JAM ES J O N ES ERIC A J O N G N O RTO N J USTER DO NALD J USTICE MACKIN L AY K ANTO R ALFR E D K A ZIN EZR A JACK KE ATS WILLIAM KEN N EDY JACK K EROUAC
KEN KESEY F R A N C E S PA R K I N S O N K E Y E S T R AC Y K I D D E R MARTIN LUTHER KING JR . STEPHEN KING B A R B A R A K I N G S O LV E R M A X I N E H O N G K I N G S TO N
JA M A I C A K I N C A I D G A LWAY K I N N E L L C A R O LY N K I Z E R J O H N K N OW L E S Y U S E F KO M U N YA K A A E . L . KO N I G S B U R G J E R Z Y KÓ S I N S K I A L E X KOT LOW I T Z
There’s a story that needs to be told: the story of the extraordinary men and women who have created the written works that have shaped our society since its inception and have both inspired and entertained us. Welcome to the American Writers Museum, the first and only museum of its kind in the United States. Opening in Chicago in early 2017, this vibrant, interactive museum will celebrate the lives and works of America’s great writers, and their influence on our history and our culture. • Permanent exhibits will feature your favorite works and tell the story of your favorite writers, whether they wrote non-fiction or fiction, plays or poetry. • Special galleries will showcase exhibits and artifacts on loan from our nation’s historic writers’ homes, joining with our museum to tell the behind-the-scenes stories of our great writers. • Diverse educational programs and special events will promote literacy and foster a love of reading and writing. In the pages that follow, you can explore the concept design for the museum. We invite you to join in the celebration.
Amazon.com CHAPTER 1 . Loomings. CALL ME ISHMAEL. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off—then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.
Table of Contents Visitor Experience 4 Where Will it Be? 6 Writers Hall 7 Writing Across America 8 American Identity 9 Surprise Bookshelf 10 Word Waterfall 11 Readers Hall 12 The Mind of a Writer 13 A Writer’s Room 14 Featured Works 15 Word Play 16 Chicago: A City of Writers 17 Children’s Gallery 18 Changing Exhibits Gallery 20 Advocates 22 Curating Team 23 National Advisory Council 24 Affiliated Author Home Museums Business Plan 28 Exhibit Floor Plan 29 Attendance Projections 30 Leadership 32 Partners 33 Financials 36 Fundraising Plan 37 Your Opportunity 38 Naming Opportunities 40 Project Strengths
CLARK ST.
Northwestern
WEST SUPERIOR ST.
University
MICHIGAN AVE.
WEST HURON ST.
WEST ERIE ST. Olive Park
E. ONTARIO ST.
WEST ONTARIO ST.
Where Will it Be? WEST OHIO ST.
E. OHIO ST.
E. GRAND AVE. Navy Pier
W. GRAND AVE.
AWM will be located in the E. ILLINOIS ST.
heart of downtown Chicago
W. KINZIE AVE.
on one of the busiest blocks
NORTH HALSTEDSTREET
Marina
of famed Michigan Avenue. City
EAST WACKE
R DRIVE
S. CLINTON ST.
S. CANAL ST.
Millennium Park, a magnet
for Chicago residents and
N. WABASH AVE.
W. LAKE ST.
Goodman
Theatre
visitors from all over the W. RANDOLPH ST. E. RANDOLPH ST.
CHICAGO
CULTURAL
CENTER
world, is one block away. “I enthusiastically support the
N. MICHIGAN AVE.
E. WASHINGTON ST.
W. WASHINGTON ST.
Other cultural attractions
J. Pritzker
Civic Pavillon efforts to place a national writers
N. FRANKLIN ST.
N. STATE
Opera
museum in Chicago. Such a
E. MADISON ST.
W. MADISON ST.
House
in the area include The Millennium
Park museum will complement the rich
Art Institute of Chicago, ART offerings of the City’s theaters,
E. MONROE ST.
W. MONROE ST.
INSTITUTE
W. MARBLE PL.
CHICAGO OF CHICAGO museums, libraries and musical
S. FRANKLIN ST.
Chicago Symphony Center, Sears
S. STATE
Tower SYMPHONY E. ADAMS ST.
activities and adds significantly
W. ADAMS ST.
S. WABASH AVE.
CENTER
Pritzker Military Museum to Chicago’s vitality.”
W. QUINCY ST.
E. JACKSON ST.
W. JACKSON ST.
– RAHM EMANUEL
and Library, and the Grant Park
S. DES PLAINES ST.
E. VAN BUREN ST. MAYOR, THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Chicago Architectural CHICAGO
ARCHITECTURE
FOUNDATION
Foundation. The theatre
S. MICHIGAN AVE.
W. CONGRESS PKWY.
Buckingham
Fountain
district lies two blocks to the W. HARRISON ST.
west. The AWM will be just E. HALBO DR.
a short walk away from a
S. LAKE SHORE DR.
S. COLUMBUS DR.
W. POLK ST.
number of Chicago’s major MUSEUM SITE
S. WELLS ST.
S. CLARK ST.
NEARBY CULTURAL SITES
hotels. NEARBY HOTELS
Roosevelt
S. CLINTON ST.
Park
E. ROOSEVELT RD.
John G. Shedd
S. CANAL ST.
Aquarium
Park Field Adler
479 Museum Planetarium
DAN RYAN EXPRESSWAY
E. 13TH ST.
S. JEFFERSON ST.
E. 14TH ST.
12th Street Beach
S. INDIANA STREET
4 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM
Soldier
WEST 14TH PLACE Field
Coliseum
Writing
Across America American Identity
Children’s Gallery
Readers Hall
Writers Hall
Chicago:
A City of Writers The Mind of a Writer
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 5
Writers Hall
Step into Writers Hall and
experience your first AWM
surprise: a face-to-face
encounter with a writer from
your hometown.
What to See and Do: •L
earn about the American Writers
• Great writers come from all corners Museum’s broad network of author-
of the country, including where you home museum affiliates.
live. Enter your zip code to see a
panoramic video display of writers,
their works, their awards, and their
inspirations from your hometown.
6 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM
Writing Across
America
A giant interactive map of
the United States allows you
to explore animated stories
showing how American
writing encompasses every
region of the country.
Map of Affiliated
Author Home Museums
What to See and Do:
• Go on literary journeys—with Kerouac
and Steinbeck and other iconic
American writers.
• “Travel” to places where writers lived.
• Visit famous literary sites—“Tara” The American prairie – illustrated The Ozarks of Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of
Mark Twain in front of his boyhood
home in Hannibal, Missouri. and “Cannery Row,” or “The House by Garth Williams in the ‘Little House’ Wrath,” illustrated by Thomas Hart Benton.
of the Seven Gables,” among others. books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 7
American Identity
American Identity chronicles
American literature from
the early Native American
oral traditions up to the
explosion of voices of the
20th century.
What to See and Do:
• The 60-foot-long multilayered • Explore literary movements, authors • Test your knowledge to determine
exhibit wall takes you on a journey and their works over time—discover if a featured piece of writing helped
through the literary history of the the poems of Anne Bradstreet of create an American voice, identity or
United States. Colonial America to writers like genre. Your on-screen selections
Emerson, Melville, Whitman, and Poe trigger a wide range of lighting and
who helped declare America’s literary audio effects.
independence.
8 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMSurprise Bookshelf
Surprise and discovery
reign here. Each of the
200 individual works of
American writing is
interpreted in a unique
interactive that includes an
Push the button
assortment of audio, video, to hear Kurt
Touch the spear
to activate video
dioramas and colorful back- Vonnegut reading
an excerpt.
of a “Nantucket
Sleigh Ride.”
lit graphics.
Spin the zoetrope
to see Harold
and his crayon
in action.
What to See and Do: • Find the diorama of a children’s
• Hidden windows can be opened, slid, picture book or a clip from the
spun, or twisted to expose dioramas, Hollywood version of a famous book.
audio and video programs, and
unexpected interactive elements.
• Discover hundreds of “great works”
of American writing.
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 9Word Waterfall
Magic happens here. Words
float down and assemble in
interesting and memorable
ways.
What to See and Do: The presentation may combine dynamic
animation of words from featured works,
• From a distance, you will be accompanying imagery (photography, art,
enchanted by an evocatively lit, floor- video) and a soundscape. In contrast to the
to-ceiling waterfall of words. highly interactive, content-rich American
Identity and Surprise Bookshelf experiences,
• Up close, watch words assemble Word Waterfall is contemplative and
themselves in stanzas or paragraphs. meditative.
• Choose a work to be displayed on the
“waterfall.”
10 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMReaders Hall
This is the museum’s
primary gathering and
multipurpose space. It offers
flexible seating and viewing
configurations for films,
talks, readings, and other
events and programs.
Readers Hall also offers
interpretive exhibits and
iconic artifacts celebrating
the role of the reader and
writer in American literature.
What to See and Do: • Explore “top ten” lists using a • Use a typewriter or notepad to
• Discover the reading habits of our dynamic data mapping diagram. compose a Fan Letter to a writer
ancestors through the books they had • Choose your Favorites. Post them (dead or living) who has inspired you.
on their shelves. and compare your choices with those
• Learn about the social, cultural and of other visitors. Access your
technological developments that selections on-line and on-site through
influenced written works. an AWM app
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 11The Mind of a Writer
Could you be a great writer?
In this gallery explore what
it takes to produce a
masterwork in four distinct
exhibit areas: Story of the
Day, A Writers Room,
Anatomy of a Masterwork
and Word Play.
What to See and Do: • Write the next line or two to continue
• A roll of paper stretches from the the story.
ceiling to an easel, providing the • Visit the AWM website or on-site
medium for a story. Every day, AWM kiosk to view complete stories written
staff will write a great line from an by visitors on other days.
American masterwork on the paper
and let visitors continue the story.
12 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMA Writer’s Room
This semi-enclosed
immersive space depicts the
things that might have been
part of a selected author’s
writing environment.
Mark Twain
What to See and Do: • Select desktop items such as
• Touch the “desktop” to select an manuscripts, letters or inspirational
author. works from others to explore.
• Watch the room transform with • View the writer’s personal library.
changes in lighting, “outdoor” views, • Play “Are You a Vonnegut or a
William Faulkner bookshelf components and desktop Bukowski,” a game that asks
items. questions about your lifestyle and
work habits, then pairs you with Edith Wharton
writers with similar lifestyles.
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 13Featured Works
Here a multi-user touch-
table allows you to explore
in depth 20 masterworks of
American Literature.
Draft page of Robert Lowell’s
“Epilogue”.
What to See and Do: • Select a work to explore. Through a • Explore Great First Lines displayed
• View a long, multi-touch table loaded series of screens, choose to learn on the blades of the horizontal
with deep, relevant, and interrelated more about the work or the writer: window louvers. Try to guess the
information related to a specific discover influences, backstories, and name of the work or the author that
masterwork. biographical information. produced the line.
• Learn about author-home affiliates
Draft page of Sylvia Plath’s
related to Featured Works.
“Stings” in the Plath Collection
at Smith College.
14 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMWord Play
Interactive tabletop consoles
offer multiple games that
encourage visitors to get
creative with words.
What to See and Do: • Consider how careful word choice
• Explore words made up by American gives meaning to a sentence. Create
writers; invent new words and sentences by adding and removing
meanings in an interactive game. words to see how the meaning
When San Francisco “Chronicle” changes.
columnist Herb Caen coined the word • Explore word choices and phrasing of
“Beatnik” he said it was because great American writers; try to guess
Russia had just launched Sputnik. the name of the author.
Are hipsters the new beatniks? You
can decide!
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 15Chicago:
A City of Writers
Here you will find
compelling evidence for
why the American Writers
Museum is located in
Chicago. As the “new
American city,” Chicago
eschewed tradition and “the
old rules,” fostering literary
experimentation that has
had global impact.
Many great American
writers of the 19th and 20th
centuries worked in Chicago
for a significant portion of
their careers and in turn, the
city inspired some of their
greatest writing.
What to See and Do: • Explore Communities using an • Discover favorite and new Chicago
• Explore classic works of Chicago interactive map. Locate publishing Stories in a touchscreen interactive
literature, such as Nelson Algren’s houses, newspapers, libraries, that invites you to choose from a
“Chicago: City on the Make,” through bookstores, and other literary menu of stories about significant
an interactive touchscreen. institutions in Chicago’s history. Chicago writers or writing-focused
• Explore tactile display objects organizations.
relevant to the “communities” stories
such as meeting announcements,
brochures, leaflets, sample works,
and group memorabilia.
16 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMChildren’s Gallery
Perhaps nothing is more
important in the
development of a child’s
capabilities than his or her
pleasure and skill in reading.
Great American writers have
created beloved children’s
works of enduring power
and characters who are an
indelible part of the
American imagination.
Children’s literature will be
featured throughout the
museum and it will be
showcased exclusively in the
Children’s Gallery.
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 17Changing Exhibits
Gallery
While the exhibits in the
permanent gallery will have
elements that can be readily
updated, the AWM will host
temporary exhibitions
including those produced
by the AWM and those
© Tessa van der Waals
on loan from partner
© Roger Willems
organizations. These may
include special artifacts,
author-specific exhibits
relating to special events or
anniversaries, or program-
specific exhibits on
children’s literature or
banned books.
18 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM“The American Writers Museum is a grand, highly worthy idea. I’m all for it. Imagine all there will be to work with and what a center of inspiration it will be! The importance of our novelists, poets, dramatists, writers from every part of the country, every kind of background, has been part of the American story for more than 300 years. Think of what we owe them and how much we continue to learn from them!” DAVID MCCULLOUGH, AUTHOR & HISTORIAN
Advocates
“Here is a promise to create a museum in “This is such a great idea. Museums make “The train line goes from Mississippi to “In a country established as an idea
Chicago that will stimulate our young history three dimensional, and museums Chicago. …The music informed the history; explicated in written documents and
people to read, imagine, and write. Using bring people together into that three- the stories followed the music. This embellished by generations of poets,
interactive digital media, the American dimensional space to learn about and museum is great!” novelists, and critics, the case for
Writers Museum will bring to life the celebrate that history. This is needed for – NIKKI GIOVANNI commemorating the written word is
captivating stories of our great writers and American literary history—a communal POET self-evident. After all, what is written
explore their influence on our nation.” space to celebrate our rich legacy of prose describes a people and what is celebrated
and poetry. And maybe I’m biased, but I “American writers have produced some of defines their values.”
– JAMES R. DONNELLEY
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS, THE CHICAGO think Chicago, home of Bellow, Brooks, and the world’s great literature, essays and
– JIM LEACH
PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION Terkel, is the perfect place for such a poetry, and it is time that their authors and CHAIRMAN, THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT
museum.” their works be gathered and presented to FOR THE HUMANITIES, 2009–2013
“The essential literary experience, of the American people in a major cultural
– DAVE EGGERS
course, takes place in silence inside a book, museum. The educational opportunities are “There is no better place than Chicago and
AUTHOR, EDITOR, AND PUBLISHER
but why shouldn’t the abundant joy of endless, and I support the creation of the no better time than now to bring to life the
American writing have its own museum, “Our nation’s libraries are dynamic cultural American Writers Museum with lives of the people who create magic and
a physical place that readers can walk into centers which make America’s literary enthusiasm.” reality with words. The writers are the ones
and learn and marvel?“ riches available to widely diverse – HENRY A. KISSINGER
who help us laugh when we want to cry,
– BILLY COLLINS audiences. A museum devoted to American AUTHOR & FORMER U.S. SECRETARY think when we want to laugh. They are the
U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2001-2003 authors is an exciting idea—one which we OF STATE keepers of our past, present and futures.
believe will be welcomed by librarians Onward to the next page! Always to the
“Anyone invested in the cultural landscape “Rooted in the private, individual pleasure next page!”
across the United States.”
of the United States would welcome an of reading, there is a compelling
– KEITH MICHAEL FIELS – JIM LEHRER
American Writers Museum—even those of excitement in learning more about AMERICAN JOURNALIST, NOVELIST,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
us who believe that a picture might be AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION America’s writers in the shared, public & FORMER EXECUTIVE EDITOR & NEWS
worth a thousand words. A museum experience of a museum. It will be a place ANCHOR FOR THE PBS NEWSHOUR
devoted to American literature would play “How thrilling to imagine a museum to meet one’s old friends—Twain,
a vital role in keeping the creative impulse dedicated to the great achievements of Dickinson, Frost—and make new “The Iowa Writers’ Workshop at The
alive in the national psyche.” American literature. Such a museum would acquaintances. What fun that will be.” University of Iowa pioneered the teaching
immediately become both a national of creative writing at the university level.
– DOUGLAS DRUICK – RICHARD LARIVIERE
PRESIDENT AND ELOISE W. MARTIN center and a national symbol for creativity, PRESIDENT AND CEO
There is a significant underlying principle
DIRECTOR, ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO education, and the highest aspirations of THE FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY here in Iowa: that the literary arts are for
our culture.” everyone at every age, in every walk of life.
We believe an American Writers Museum
– DANA GIOIA
CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR
would serve to keep alive our stories for
THE ARTS 2002-2009 generations to come.”
– SALLY MASON
PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA,
2007–2015
20 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMAdvocates
“Those of us whose main task it is to instill “The American Writers Museum promises “How brilliant: An institution that will tell “Chicago, my home and birthplace, nurtured
within the museum visitors an active and to be a vibrant cultural institution the stories of the people who tell us stories. many of America’s greatest writers of the
probing interest in nature and culture can dedicated to preserving American The American Writers Museum promises past: Dreiser, Farrell, Hemingway,
only respond to the plans of a writers literature in an entirely contemporary narrative riches of every kind, in and well Sandburg, Algren, Bellow, Brooks, and
museum: This is the right thing to do!” manner. PEN/Faulkner is pleased to beyond its own walls. It is set to work some Terkel, to name a few. With so much of
– JOHN MCCARTER JR. endorse this exciting project.” very powerful magic.” America’s literary heritage rooted here,
CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF REGENTS – PEN/FAULKNER FOUNDATION – STACY SCHIFF it would be an ideal site of the American
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION AUTHOR AND NEW YORK TIMES Writers Museum.”
“A national museum, which would offer a GUEST COLUMNIST – SCOTT F. TUROW
“The idea of an American Writers Museum chance to explore the richness and vitality AUTHOR
seems to me long overdue. The literate of one of the world’s great cultural “I write to express my hearty and
world has known and prized American resources—the heritage of great American enthusiastic support for the American “This exemplary project, to found a national
writers since the generation of Emerson writing—is a remarkable idea and long Writers Museum. The technological and museum devoted to celebrating the story
and Thoreau. Whitman and Emily Dickinson overdue.” economic revolution underway in the of America through the tales and lives of its
have influenced poets and readers in presentation and reception of the written remarkable writers, is an idea that I suspect
– MAX RUDIN
English and in translation into many PUBLISHER, THE LIBRARY OF AMERICA
word makes this an auspicious time for will prove as durable and as inspiring as
languages. The great current continues, establishing an institution whose focus is Betsy Ross’s flag.”
and a museum honoring and portraying “I love the idea of the American Writers on writers.” – STEVE WASSERMAN
American writing would be an honor to the Museum. The American project has been – DAVID SPADAFORA EDITOR AT LARGE, YALE UNIVERSITY
suffering and vision from which our fueled since the beginning by impassioned PRESIDENT, THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY PRESS
literature came.” writing, and the Museum would be a
wonderful place for that history to be “Establishing a national institution that will “Our greatest writers contribute to the
– W.S. MERWIN
U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2010–2011 embodied and rediscovered….” celebrate American writing is an inspired intellectual vitality of our country, and the
idea. Through its programs, exhibitions, American Writers Museum is an ambitious
– GEORGE SAUNDERS
“What a brilliant idea, to establish an AUTHOR
public readings, and film presentations, way in which to honor and recognize
American Writers Museum! It is very fitting the museum will kindle a new appreciation their contribution to scholarly inquiry and
that this ambitious museum is Midwestern “From its beginning in the 19th Century to of our literature and deepen our cultural expression. I welcome the potential
in its setting, and particularly in the great the present day, Chicago has provided understanding of American writers.” to create such a museum both as a
literary city of Chicago. Here is a project inspiration for renowned novelists, poets, – THOMAS F. STALEY resource for research and engagement,
that will be both educational and thrilling, journalists and essayists. Having the DIRECTOR, HARRY RANSOM CENTER as well as a symbol of literature’s lasting
inspiring to all who love to read and to American Writers Museum here would be UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, importance.”
write. I am honored to be involved in this 1988–2013
both appropriate and a wonderful addition – ROBERT J. ZIMMER
original enterprise and will be very to Chicago.” PRESIDENT, THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
intrigued by its development and the ways – MORTON SCHAPIRO
in which it will flourish.” PRESIDENT, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
– JOYCE CAROL OATES
AUTHOR
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 21Curating Team
CONTENT LEADERSHIP TEAM SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS David Kipen
Getty/Annenberg Arts Fellow University
Elizabeth Alexander Marie Arana of Southern California
Thomas E. Donnelley Professor of African Biographer, essayist, novelist, senior advisor
American Studies and American Studies, to the librarian at the Library of Congress and Jill Lepore
Yale University former editor in chief of Book World section Author, New Yorker contributor,
in The Washington Post David Woods Kemper ‘41 Professor of
Reginald Gibbons American History and Harvard College
Francis Hooper Professor of Arts and Michael Clune Professor, Harvard University
Humanities, Northwestern University Associate Professor of English
Case Western Reserve University Robert Polito
Leonard Marcus Robert Casper Head of the Poetry and Director, MFA Writing Program and
Author, Critic, and Children’s Book Historian Literature Center, Library of Congress Professor of Writing, The New School
President, Poetry Foundation (2012–2015)
Max Rudin Maureen Corrigan
Publisher for Library of America Journalist, Author, and Literary Critic, John Russick
The Washington Post, NPR Vice President for Interpretation and
Donna Seaman Education, Chicago History Museum
Senior Editor, “Booklist,” Thomas Dyja
American Library Association Author Carolyn Saper
Education Consultant Specializing in
Shelley Fisher Fishkin Children’s Literature and Curriculum
Joseph S. Atha Professor in Humanities
Stanford University Werner Sollors
Henry B. and Anne M. Cabot Professor of
Ed Folsom English Literature and Professor of African
Roy J. Carver Professor of English, and African American Studies, Harvard
The University of Iowa University
Editor, Walt Whitman Quarterly Review,
Director, Walt Whitman Archive Ilan Stavans
Lewis-Sebring Professor in Latin American
Sandra Gilbert and Latino Culture, Amherst College
Professor of English
University of California, Davis Ivy Wilson
Associate Professor of English and Director
Jacqueline Goldsby of American Studies,Northwestern University
Professor of English & African American
Studies, Yale University Gary K. Wolfe
Professor of Humanities, Roosevelt University
22 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMNational Advisory Council
Nicholas A. Basbanes Elliot Figman Nancy S. Miller Scott F. Turow
Author Executive Director Editorial Director, Bloomsbury Publishing Author
Poets & Writers Foundation
Robert Casper Alice Quinn Steve Wasserman
Head of the Poetry and Literature Center Dr. Ed Folsom Director, Poetry Society of America Editor at Large
Library of Congress Roy J. Carver Professor of English Yale University Press
The University of Iowa Mary Rasenberger
Michael W. Clune Executive Director Stephen Young
Professor of English Case Western Reserve Dr. Reginald Gibbons The Authors Guild Program Director
University Author and Director, Center for the Writing Poetry Foundation
Arts, Northwestern University Max Rudin
John Y. Cole Publisher, Library of America
Director, Center for the Book Nikki Giovanni Jr.
Library of Congress Poet and Author Donna Seaman
Senior Editor, Booklist
Patrick K. Coleman Daniel Greene American Library Association
Acquisitions Librarian Adjunct Professor, Northwestern University
Minnesota Historical Society Guest Curator, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Dr. Werner Sollors
Museum Professor of English Literature
Billy Collins Harvard University
United States Poet Laureate (2001–2003) Gary T. Johnson
President, Chicago History Museum Dr. Victoria Steele
Daniel DeSimone Director of Collections Strategy
Curator, Rosenwald Collection David Kipen New York Public Library
The Library of Congress Former Literature Director
National Endowment for the Arts Dr. Robert B. Stepto
Ellen S. Dunlap Professor of African American
President, American Antiquarian Society Dr. Jeffrey Lependorf Studies, English and American Studies
Executive Director, Council of Literary Yale University
Stuart Dybek Magazines and Presses
Poet and Author Tree Swenson
Haki R. Madhubuti Executive Director
David W. Fenza Founder and Publisher Richard Hugo House
Executive Director Third World Press
Association of Writers & Writing Programs Noreen Tomassi
Alice McDermott Executive Director
Author The Center for Fiction
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 23Affiliated Author Home Museums
Louisa May Alcott, Orchard House u The F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum u Jack Kerouac, The Beat Museum u
399 Lexington Road 919 Felder Avenue 540 Broadway
Concord, Massachusetts 01742 Montgomery, Alabama 36106 San Francisco, California 94133
Frances Parkinson Keyes,
William Cullen Bryant Homestead u Alex Haley Museum & Interpretive Center u
The Beauregard-Keyes House:u
207 Bryant Road 200 South Church Street
1113 Chartres Street
Cummington, Massachusetts 01026 Henning, Tennessee 38041
New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
Pearl S. Buck House u Joel Chandler Harris, The Wren’s Nest u Jack London State Historic Park u
520 Dublin Road 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard 2400 London Ranch Road
Perkasie, Pennsylvania 18944 Atlanta, Georgia 30310 Glen Ellen, California 95442
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House Longfellow House: Washington’s
Pearl S. Buck’s Birthplace u
of the Seven Gables u Headquarters National Historic Site u
8129 Seneca Trail
115 Derby Street 105 Brattle Street
Hillsboro, West Virginia 24946
Salem, Massachusetts 01970 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Truman Capote & Harper Lee, Wadsworth-Longfellow House u
Ernest Hemingway Foundation u
The Old Courthouse Museum u 489 Congress Street
200 North Oak Park Avenue
31 North Alabama Avenue Portland, Maine 04101
Oak Park, Illinois 60302
Monroeville, Alabama 36460
Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and
The Willa Cather Foundation u Herman Melville’s Arrowhead u
Educational Center u
413 North Webster 780 Holmes Road
1021 West Cherry Street
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970 Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Piggott, Arkansas 72454
Emily Dickinson Museum u The Edna St. Vincent Millay Society
Washington Irving, Sunnyside u
280 Main Street at Steepletop u
639 Bedford Road
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 436 East Hill Road
Pocantico Hills, New York 10591
Austerlitz, New York 12017
Ralph Waldo Emerson & Nathaniel Helen Hunt Jackson, Colorado Springs
Hawthorne, The Old Manse u Margaret Mitchell House u
Pioneers Museum u
269 Monument Street 990 Peachtree Street
215 S. Tejon Street
Concord, Massachusetts 01742 Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
William Faulkner, Rowan Oak u Sarah Orne Jewett House Museum u John Muir National Historic Site u
916 Old Taylor Road 5 Portland Street 4202 Alhambra Avenue
Oxford, Mississippi 38655 South Berwick, Maine 03908 Martinez, California 94553
24 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5Affiliated Author Home Museums
Flannery O’Connor’s Andalusia Farm u Harriet Beecher Stowe Center u Walt Whitman’s Birthplace u
P.O. Box 947 77 Forest Street 246 Old Walt Whitman Road
Milledgeville, Georgia 31059 Hartford, Connecticut 06105 West Hills, New York 11746
Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site u John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace u
Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site u
1205 Pleasant Point 305 Whittier Road
P.O. Box 280
Rome City, Indiana 46784 Haverhill, Massachusetts 01830
Danville, California 95426
Henry David Thoreau & Ralph Waldo Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum u
William Sidney Porter, O. Henry Museum u
Emerson, Concord Museum u 330 8th Street
409 East 5th Street
200 Lexington Road Walnut Grove, Minnesota 56180
Austin, Texas 78701
Concord, Massachusetts 01742
Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home
Poe Museum u Thurber House u and Museum u
1914-16 East Main Street 77 Jefferson Avenue 3068 Highway A
Richmond, Virginia 23223 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Mansfield, Missouri 65704
Poe Baltimore u Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum u Thomas Wolfe Memorial u
203 N Amity Street 120 North Main 52 North Market Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21223 Hannibal, Missouri 63401 Asheville, North Carolina 28801
James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home u Mark Twain House and Museum u u = link to website
528 Lockerbie Street 351 Farmington Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 Hartford, Connecticut 06105
Will Rogers Memorial Museum u Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library u
1720 West Will Rogers Boulevard The Emelie Building
Claremore, Oklahoma 74017 340 N. Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Carl Sandburg Home u Noah Webster House u
81 Carl Sandburg Lane 227 South Main Street
Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731 West Hartford, Connecticut 06107
The National Steinbeck Center u Edith Wharton’s Home, The Mount u
One Main Street 2 Plunkett Street
Salinas, California 93901 Lenox, Massachusetts 01240
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 25“What a fantastic concept—a museum devoted
to great American writing.…At a time when life
moves so fast and so much of what we encounter
is disposable, an institution that allows us to
immerse ourselves in that which is permanent
and meaningful, which allows us to embrace
American writing and American stories…
– DAVE ISAY
FOUNDER, STORYCORPS
26B U S I N E S S P L A N
American Voices
AMERICAN Word
American IDENTITY American American Waterfall
Surprise Promise Identities Edge
Bookshelf
Writing
Across
America CHILDREN'S
GALLERY Building
Equip.
Changing
NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
Exhibits
Elevators
WRITERS Vestibule
Coats HALL Building
Equip.
Elevator What
Lobby
Americans
Read
Storage Hometown
Authors Emergency
Elevators Egress READERS Staff
HALL
Fan
Letters
Focus Favorites
Stories Hall
Museum
Equip.
World-class Anatomy of a
CHICAGO: Writing Masterwork
THE MIND OF A Writer's
A CITY OF Word A WRITER Story of Room
WRITERS Play the Day
Featured
Communities Works
EAST LAKE STREET
28 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMAttendance Projections
Opening Audience Admission Fees
March 2017 The museum is designed to appeal to a Adult: $12
broad spectrum of visitors from casual Senior: $10
Location
readers to avid lovers of literature. Family: $14
180 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
The interactive nature of the museum Students: $5
Visitors will especially engage young people.
Admission fees are based on visitor
120,000 paying visitors annually is a Lectures and presentations for school
research and fees charged by other
conservative estimate based on the groups will be an essential offering.
cultural institutions in Chicago.
museum’s feasibility study and the
experiences of other museums in
Chicago and elsewhere.
CHICAGO MUSEUM ANNUAL CHICAGO MUSEUM
ATTENDANCE — 2014 ADMITTANCE FEES — 2014
Adler Planetarium 451,000 Adult Fee
Art Institute of Chicago 1,424,000 Adler Planetarium $12
Chicago Children’s Museum 406,000 Art Institute of Chicago $20
Chicago History Museum 272,000 Chicago Children’s Museum $14
DuSable Museum of African Chicago History Museum $14
118,000
American History
DuSable Museum of African
$8
The Field Museum 1,229,000 American History
Museum of Contemporary Art 339,000 The Field Museum $18
Museum of Science & Industry 1,388,000 Museum of Contemporary Art $12
National Museum Museum of Science & Industry $18
131,000
of Mexican Art
National Museum of
Free
John G. Shedd Museum 1,815,000 Mexican Art
Total Attendance 7,573,000 John G. Shedd Museum $8
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 29Leadership
Officers Jerre L. Stead (Chairman) is Chairman and Ronne Hartfield (Vice-Chairman) is a Lynne Pace Robinson (Corporate
CEO of IHS Inc. He has been CEO of several biographer, essayist, and widely recognized Secretary) served in the White House of
Jerre L. Stead
companies including Ingram Micro, Legent, international museum consultant. After Gerald R. Ford and held appointments in
Chairman
Square D, and AT&T Global Information early retirement from her position as the Department of Transportation and the
Roger Baskes Solutions (formerly, NCR Corp.). He is a Executive Director of Museum Education at Environmental Protection Agency. She
Vice-Chairman graduate of University of Iowa. the Art Institute of Chicago, she was co-chaired the esteemed Washington
John Estey awarded a Senior Research Fellowship at Antiques Show and hosted a community
Roger Baskes (Vice Chairman) is a former
Vice Chairman Harvard University. She has served on the interview show on Comcast cable television
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the
Boards of Directors of several universities for nine years. Serving with architect/
Hill Hammock Newberry Library in Chicago. He is a
and foundations, and has earned engineer consulting firms for several years,
Vice-Chairman member of the Madison Council at the
undergraduate and graduate degrees from she also managed a regional office and led
Ronne Hartfield Library of Congress. He is a graduate of
the University of Chicago. teams of experts to conduct analysis for
Vice-Chairman Harvard Law School.
Environmental Impact Statements on large
Werner Hein (Vice-Chairman) is senior
Werner Hein John Estey (Vice Chairman) is Chairman federal and municipal public works
counsel at the Washington, D.C. office of
Vice-Chairman of S&C Electric Company, a global provider projects. She graduated from The George
Mayer Brown LLP, a leading international
of equipment and services for electric Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Jay Hammer law firm. During his more than thirty years
power systems headquartered in Chicago.
Treasurer of legal practice he has chiefly advised Malcolm O’Hagan (President) was CEO of
He is a Director of PotashCorp and
Lynne Pace Robinson communications and Internet companies on the National Electrical Manufacturers
Southwire Company, and past Chairman
Corporate Secretary their transactions. He holds law degrees Association. He served on the Board of the
of the Adler Planetarium Board of Trustees.
from Columbia Law School and Bonn National Association of Manufacturers and
Malcolm O’Hagan John was born and raised in Toronto,
University. was Chairman of the Washington Industrial
President and CEO Canada and holds a B.S. in Electrical
Roundtable. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in
Engineering from Queen’s University and Jay Hammer (Treasurer) is President and
Nike Whitcomb Engineering from The National University of
an MBA from the University of Chicago. CEO of Theralogix. He is a business and
Executive Director Ireland and a D.Sc. from The George
non-profit leader based in Washington,
Hill Hammock (Vice-Chairman), after Washington University in Washington, D.C.
D.C.. He has served on a number of
retiring as Vice Chairman and COO of
Directors non-profit boards and was Chairman of the Nike Whitcomb (Executive Director) is
LaSalle Bank in 2007, became Chief
Washington Performing Arts from 2008 to founder and principal of Whitcomb
Marie Arana Administrative Officer for the Chicago
2010. He graduated from the University of Associates. Whitcomb was the first female
Allan E. Bulley III Public Schools and is currently Chairman of
Chicago and received his MBA from president of the Chicago Chapter of the
Michael T. Clune the Cook County Health & Hospital System.
Harvard University. Association of Fundraising Professionals
S. Leigh Pierson Conant Hill is also Chairman of the Chicago
(AFP), and has received the organization’s
James Donnelley Deferred Exchange Company and has
President’s Award. She helped author the
Robert Franden served as Chairman of the Metropolitan
original certification test for AFP, and is a
James G. Hansen Planning Council, the Chicago Shakespeare
regular trainer and presenter at local,
Lamar Johnson Theater, and the Chicago History Museum.
regional, and national conferences on
Roberta Rubin Mr. Hammock holds an MBA from the
fundraising and nonprofit management.
Paul T. Ruxin University of Chicago.
Whitcomb is a graduate of Milikin
Tom Staley
University, where she received the Merit
Helen Sullivan
Loyalty Award in 2014.
30 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMLeadership
Marie Arana was editor in chief of James Donnelley has been a General James G. Hansen is the retired Chairman Paul T. Ruxin is a retired partner of
‘The Washington Post’s’ Book World, and, Partner of Ampersand, Reset & South and Founder of Chicago-based Source/Inc., Jones Day (Chicago and Cleveland) and
prior to that, vice president and senior Eastern Limited Partnership since June providing branding identity services for Chairman of the Folger Shakespeare
editor at Harcourt Brace and Simon & 2000. Mr. Donnelley served as Vice consumer products clients. He is a Fellow Library in Washington, D.C. He is a member
Schuster. The prize-winning author serves Chairman of R.R. Donnelley & Sons of the Industrial Designers Society of of the Board at the Newberry Library of
on the Scholars’ Council at the Kluge Center Company. He has served as a trustee and America and the Society of Typographic Chicago. His personal collection of the
of the Library of Congress, where she was director of numerous civic and community Arts. He served as Chair of the Board of works of Samuel Johnson, James Boswell,
the Distinguished Scholar from 2009 to groups, which include: Children’s Memorial Advisors for the Design Management and their circle is among the most complete
2010. She is also chair of the National Book Hospital (retired member), The Donnelley Institute for 16 years. He holds under- in private hands in the world. He is a
Festival in Washington, D.C. She holds a Foundation, John C. Griswold Foundation graduate and graduate degrees from the Governor of Dr. Johnson’s House Trust in
BA from Northwestern University. (retired Treasurer), Chicago Public Library University of Illinois. London. Mr. Ruxin is a graduate of Amherst
Foundation (former Chairman), National College and received his law degree from
Allan E. Bulley III is President of Bulley & Lamar Johnson is Regional Managing
Merit Scholarship Foundation (former the University of Virginia.
Andrews and the fourth generation to lead Principal of Gensler Chicago, a world
Vice Chairman), and several other
this well-known Chicago construction firm. renowned architecture and design firm and Tom Staley served as the Director of the
organizations. Mr. Donnelley holds a BA
He is a graduate of Yale and holds an MBA Vice Chairman of the Adler Planetarium. renowned Harry Ransom Center at the
from Dartmouth College and an MBA from
from the Kellogg School of Management. He holds a Bachelor of Environmental University of Texas at Austin, which houses
the University of Chicago.
Design and an MBA from the University one of the greatest collections of American
Michael T. Clune, after an early career in the
Robert Franden is an attorney and investor of Colorado. and English 20th-century literature in the
construction business in Europe and the
in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is active in civic and world. He is a professor of English and
Middle East, moved to Chicago in 1978 Roberta Rubin is the former owner of The
professional organizations at the national holds the Harry Hunt Ransom Chair in
where he is now Chairman and CEO of Book Stall at Chestnut Court in Chicago,
and local level. He serves on the board of Liberal Arts at University of Texas at Austin.
Clune Construction. He is involved in one of the most celebrated independent
The Harry Ransom Humanities Center at He has written or edited 13 books, several
various philanthropic activities. Michael was bookstores in the country. She received the
The University of Texas at Austin. He is on James Joyce, Jean Rhys, and Dorothy
born in Dublin, Ireland. 2012 ‘Bookstore of the Year’ honor from
also the Chairman of ALFA International, Richardson, and is the founding editor of
‘Publishers Weekly.’ Roberta was a member
S. Leigh Pierson Conant is cofounder and an international legal organization He the James Joyce Quarterly.
of the Board of Directors for the American
president of the S. Leigh Pierson Conant served on the Tulsa City Commission and
Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression Helen Sullivan is an expert in industry-wide
and Douglas R. Conant Family Cookie Jar various civic and cultural trusts, including
and is now actively engaged on the Board public relations and integrated marketing
Foundation. She is a former actor and the Performing Arts Center Trust. He holds
of the Ragdale Foundation and the Crow programs. Her honors include three Public
educator, a voracious reader, and a lifelong a J.D. degree from The University
Canyon Archeological Center in Four Relations Society of America Silver Anvils.
participant and supporter of the arts of Oklahoma.
Corners. She is a graduate of the University She serves on the board of the Independent
with a BS in theatre and education from
of Michigan. Public Relations Alliance and the Center
Northwestern University.
for Child Protection and Family Support.
A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School
of Public Communications at Syracuse
University, Ms. Sullivan is a lifelong devotee
of poetry.
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 31Partners AWM and its partners share a commitment to improving literacy, to encouraging reading and writing, and to honoring American writers. We share information, collaborate on programming and co-sponsor literary events. We pursue joint educational endeavors to inspire young people to read and write. 32 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5
Financials
Pre-Opening Development Monthly Pre-Opening Expenses ($) — June 2015 – March 2017
Cost 2015–2016:
800,000
$6.5 million
• Space build-out
700,000
• Exhibit design, fabrication, and
installation
• Pre-opening operation costs 600,000
Full Business Plan available 500,000
upon request.
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
2015 2016 2017
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 33Financials
PRE-OPENING EXPENSE SUMMARY
2015 2016 2017 Total
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
Content Development 18,000 14,000 22,000 20,000 6,000 80,000
Exhibition Design 16,875 33,625 62,000 135,000 202,500 262,500 131,250 33,750 22,500 900,000
Exhibition Fabrication and Installation 10,000 60,000 100,000 130,000 1,100,000 1,550,000 450,000 3,400,000
Architect Fees, Project Mgt., Independent Cost Estimator 75,000 30,000 30,000 20,000 155,000
Space Build-out (12,000 square feet)
Gross 166,500 444,000 277,500 888,000
(per square foot) $74.00
TI Allowance 91,500 244,000 152,500 488,000
(per square foot) $40.67
Net of TI Allowance 75,000 200,000 125,000 400,000
(per square foot) $33.33
Contingency 1,688 3,362 7,200 19,500 45,250 62,250 138,625 160,375 47,250 485,500
Staffing 45,000 84,000 33,000 71,000 77,000 36,000 75,500 125,500 166,000 713,000
Pre-Opening Marketing 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 12,500 25,000 60,000 142,500
Total Pre-Opening Expenses (Net of TI Allowance) 71,063 146,487 133,700 315,000 602,250 734,250 1,612,875 1,914,625 745,750 6,276,000
34 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMFinancials
OPERATING BUDGET 2017–2021
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Revenues
Number of Visitors 100,000 120,000 120,000 120,000 120,000
Admission Fees ($10 avg. fee) 1,000,000 1,236,000 1,273,080 1,311,272 1,350,611
Special Events ($5,000 avg. fee) 100,000 150,000 150,000 150,000 150,000
Sponsorships and Donations/Gifts 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000
Total Revenues 1,350,000 1,636,000 1,673,080 1,711,272 1,750,611
Operating Expenses
Staffing 723,333 836,229 892,330 917,390 943,202
G&A (6.0% of revenues) 81,000 98,160 100,385 102,676 105,037
Marketing (4.5% of revenues) 60,750 73,620 75,289 77,007 78,777
Insurance (1.5% of revenues) 20,250 24,540 25,096 25,669 26,259
Utilities ($6 per sq. ft. escalating at 3% per annum) 71,514 73,659 75,869 78,145 80,490
Cleaning ($2 per sq. ft. escalating at 3% per annum) 23,838 24,553 25,290 26,048 26,830
Repairs/Maintenance (5% of revenue) 67,500 81,800 83,654 85,564 87,531
Total Operating Expenses 1,048,185 1,212,561 1,277,913 1,312,499 1,348,126
Rent (Museum) 247,771 306,853 317,509 328,307 339,250
Rent (Offices) — 25,000 26,000 27,000 28,000
Total Expenses (Operating plus Rent) 1,295,956 1,544,414 1,621,422 1,667,806 1,715,376
Net Income 54,044 91,586 51,658 43,466 35,235
Cumulative Net Income 54,044 145,630 197,288 240,754 275,989
Note: 2017 numbers based on 10 months of operations.
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 35Fundraising Plan
Overall Goal AWM Fundraising Source of Funds by Region
$10 million by 31 December 2016 Success to Date; Goals in Place
51%
Plan 6,200 Chicago
Available on request
Implementation 6,000
The fundraising plan is being
implemented by AWM’s Executive
5,800
Director Nike Whitcomb. Her 35 years
of experience running her own
fundraising consultancy positions her 2,600
to conduct a successful campaign for
49%
the AWM. All members of the Board of Outside Chicago
2,400
Directors are actively engaged in
supporting the fundraising campaign.
They are fully confident that the Source of Funds by Donor Category
2,200
fundraising goal will be reached on 4%
schedule. Public Foundations
800
17%
Corporate
Foundations
600
400
200
79%
0 Family Foundations
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 and Individuals
Funds Received Pledges Receivable Additional Fundraising Goals
36 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUMYour Opportunity
Why What When
As a supporter, you will make a vital There are many ways in which you can The AWM’s most urgent need for
contribution to literacy and to the support the AWM: funding is NOW.
literary education of generations to
• Make a donation now. How
come. The AWM will inspire young
• Make a pledge payable over one to The donation and pledge forms provide
people to read and write: the
three years. information on how to make donations
foundations of civilization.
• Leverage your donation by by check, wire transfers, and stock
• The AWM offers a unique legacy supporting the Chairman’s Challenge transfers.
opportunity to invest in a great new Grant. Every $2 donated—up to
national cultural institution, the first $1 million—will be matched by a Recognition
and only one of its kind in the U.S. $1 donation from our Chairman. There are different levels of recognition
for various donor categories. All donors
• A range of naming opportunities • Take advantage of one of the naming
will be recognized on the AWM
offers funders at different levels a opportunities.
website. Donors who fund naming
way to receive public recognition for • Provide pro-bono support where
opportunities will be fully recognized
their philanthropy. needed.
with appropriate signage in the
• Provide Capital support to help
• Your early support of the AWM will museum. Programming and event
create and build our exhibits.
make you a Founder of this important support will be recognized in all related
• Enlist other donors. materials.
new institution.
• Sponsor fundraising and awareness-
building events.
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 37Naming Opportunities Naming Opportunity Location Cost Gallery: Writers Hall — arrival lobby: ticketing and coat check; modified gift shop Writers Hall $1,000,000 Exhibit: Hometown Author Video Wall — digital display of authors’ portraits; zip code activated Writers Hall $500,000 Exhibit: Writing Across America — literary map explores various book settings; locations of author homes & museums; other literature-related institutions Writing Across America $500,000 Gallery: American Identity — understanding America through our writers American Identity $500,000 Exhibit: Surprise Bookshelf — a ‘magic bookshelf’ with hundreds of great works of American writings in all forms with interactive components American Identity $500,000 Exhibit: Word Waterfall — scenic display scrolls words from featured works American Identity $250,000 Exhibit: American Voices — a chronological presentation of American writing through history American Identity $250,000 Exhibit: American Promise — the myth of success; land of plenty; land of adventure American Identity $75,000 Exhibit: American Identities — exclusion, assimilation, the individual vs. society American Identity $75,000 Exhibit: American Edge — literary works considered radical or experimental in their time American Identity $75,000 Gallery: Readers Hall Readers Hall Pledged Exhibit: What Americans Read — vignettes representing changes in what Americans chose to read over time Readers Hall $250,000 Exhibit: Favorites — visitors submit or post their top 5–10 pieces of American Writing Readers Hall $100,000 Exhibit: Fan Letters — visitors can write a note to a writer that inspired them Readers Hall $50,000 Gallery: The Mind of a Writer — niches and interactive kiosks highlight beautifully written characters and settings, inventive plots, and story structures The Mind of a Writer $500,000 Exhibit: A Writer’s Room — suggests a writer’s office or studio with a visitor-controlled media installation of a specific author from a pre-determined list The Mind of a Writer $250,000 Exhibit: Featured Works — interactive touch table with 20–25 American masterworks of fiction and nonfiction which visitors can explore The Mind of a Writer $250,000 Exhibit: Anatomy of a Masterwork — a writer’s impact on plot, place, character, and style The Mind of a Writer $100,000 Exhibit: Word Play — interactive kiosks with multiple games encourage creativity with words The Mind of a Writer $100,000 Exhibit: Story of the Day — interactive station where AWM staff add a famous line from a story and visitors continue the story; best stories posted online daily The Mind of a Writer $50,000 38 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 5 AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM
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