Not sure what to think about this? As you can see at the beginning of the SF city council informational meeting, Director Larry Toll makes a presentation about bringing in a traveling science exhibit, but in order to do it, he must transfer funds from a planned infrastructure project. While I think traveling exhibits at the Pavilion are a good thing, I question this move.
It is no secret that the Kirby Science Center has not been as popular as expected, BUT, I will say this, if they would change their hours to nights (when families are spending time together and parking is free DT), they would get more people in the facility. I still don’t understand the resistance?
If I was the city council, I would approve the transfer of funds on those conditions.
What is the infrastructure project? Is it the (stupid) escalators? I can’t seem to find the video.
It was some cooling system.
Is it that “science of drag party” exhibit?
That would be the most kickass science, art, sex exhibit EVAH!
I actually commended Larry personally for putting on the drag show.
Here is the fishizzle;
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111207/VOICES/312070003/Pavilion-brings-disaster-exhibit-next-month?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|s
Kirby Science Center hours:
Ruben H Fleet (San Diego, Balboa Park) hours:
MONDAY – THURSDAY 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
FRIDAY 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
SATURDAY 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
SUNDAY 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Let’s try this again…
Kirby Science Center hours:
Monday-CLOSED
Tuesday–Thursday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Ruben H Fleet (San Diego, Balboa Park) hours:
MONDAY – THURSDAY 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
FRIDAY 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
SATURDAY 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
SUNDAY 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Very similar hours, but the market is completely different. The Kirby Science Center is not located in a very large and popular tourist attraction. I agree, open at noon all days. And extend hours later. They need to learn how to adapt to their environment, instead of taking the elitist view that no matter whatever they do, people will come.
That has been my point all along. Heck even open at 2 PM during the week and be open until 9 PM at night. Also, more laser light shows. When I lived in a suburb of Seattle, we would go to laser shows at space needle park all of the time, and the line was around the building. It was a blast. And it is family oriented.
Get rid of the Science Center completely. Its keeping the Pavilion in the red. Utilized the space for extra art exhibitions instead.
The problem with the science center as I see it. And my perspective comes from personally being a member of the first Ad Hoc committee that came up with the idea forming the center and Omnimax theater, is that it is focused way too much on elementary education. If you look closely, there are really nothing for middle school or high school levels. I personally dislike “dumb down” science. It is disingenuous and provides no real attraction for anyone to pursue a career in such fields. It gives the impression that it is stupid and boring.
So until they get rid of educators on the board, they will always have this problem.
Scooter, I would agree. It is silly. As you know, I worked at the Great Hall for the first 4 years it was open. When I was working a long show (like a stupid musical) I would walk around the Science Center and would think to myself – man this is boring stupid shit.
Brom, I agree, they could use the space for parties and catering and make a lot more money from it. But I would suggest keeping the theatre and putting on more light shows and other entertainment and extended hours.
Amen. Model it after something like the Science Museum in St. Paul. I’m a scientist and I find it interesting, fun and engaging.