Update on Virtual Museum Project as of April 1, 2024
Project Overview/Scope
Two year project to be finished by April 2025
Market NY CFA – Capital Grant - Valued at $900,000 ($180,000 grant – remainder local)
Ontario County Liaison – Tom Harvey, Planning Department.
Timeline:
Original Timeline based on 3/15/23 Start
Contract Signed: 6/20/23 pushing project start out by three months.
Major Activities:
Engagement
Meetings with various historians (our content generators) – May and November 2023
Individual meetings with key leaders: Victor, Farmington
Participation in National Historic Marker Day
Ongoing submission for inventory
Additional Considerations
Looking ahead to America’s 250; sensitivity to Sullivan Expedition and Native American History
Inventory/Recommendations
20 – One from each town (plus county)
10 – Thematic (tourism)
10 – New
10 – Educational with Student engagement
Recommended Inventory Item
Inventory as of April 2, 2024
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Matrix created for marketing evaluation of desired signs for project
*Note: SEQR Review Assistance from Ontario County Planning Department
Identify purveyors of this technology
Several identified with specific meetings to explore before issuing RFP.
1. STQRY – Rochester based
2. 4th Idea – Buffalo based; award winning agency representing several tourism clients.
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Previously assisted Dutchess County on their America’s 250 coaster project - coaster that display a small George Washington when a phone is pointed at it.
3. Magic Studios – RIT, in cooperation with STQRY.
4. Hologram
RFP’s and SEQR
April 9 2024 PEQ SEQR Virtual Museum Packet letter
April 9, 2024 PEQ Resolution - to initiate environmental review
RFP #1. Inventory Update and Details for Top 20 or all 50
Considerations: What does planning need to proceed. We’ll have that inventoried
SEQR. Work with Planning
RFP #2. AR Companies - Awarded
RFP #3. Content Coordinator - Awarded
RFP #4. Technology Integration
RFP #5. Physical signage needs, production
RFP #6. Signage installation, clean-up, etc.
Selection of Creative Services
STQRY was selected for creative services to work alongside RIT's MAGIC studios
FLVC Hosted a Virtual Museum Information Session
On March 19, Finger Lakes Visitors Connection hosted a public information session on the upcoming Ontario County Virtual Museum Project at Finger Lakes Community College. As the Virtual Museum continues to make progress, FLVC gave an update and hosted an open questions session for anyone interested. Among attendees were historians from across the county, tourism industry partners, Ontario County officials, and members of the community. FLVC’s Valerie Knoblauch gave an overview of the project, including where the idea came from, what signs will be included in the museum, the next steps of the project, as well as introducing the creative agencies who will work with FLVC to create this experience. In attendance and speaking at the event was STQRY’s Kyle Pierce & Thomas Dunne. STQRY will be the creative lead on this project and provide the platform, create a digital tour, and work with FLVC’s Theresa VanWormer in writing the stories. Additionally in attendance and presentation, were two RIT professors, Susan Lakin and Joe Geigel, and Diane Catsburrow Linnet, an MFA Student at RIT who is also an accomplished producer at AniMAGIC Studios. RIT’s MAGIC Studios will be producing the animations, graphics, and augmented reality for this project. The floor then opened for questions and ended in a well-attended and engaged session.