Sheila Cushman is the Executive Director Emeritus at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation. She talked with Mark and Patrick about the 27-year journey it took to build the museum.
In this conversation with broad background on the story behind the founding of the Museum, Sheila covers;
How land use politics affects even the most beloved of projects
Starting in 1990 with a group of committed citizens to build a Children's Museum
Paul Selwyn, president of the original Board of Directors and had experience wiht the Childnres' Museum of LA - with Eli Luria and the Orfela Foundation formed the initial leadership team
How the original design was a 3,000 square foot facility on the grounds of the Naturla Histroy Museum
In 2006, Shelia beacme the Executive Director of the Museum
How in 2007, the City of Santa Barbara gave them the land (in prmie real esated) for $1 a year for 50 years, with the help of local hero, John Davies.
Who’s the dragon in this story: Gov of California Jerry Brown
Spending years developing the concepts that turned into the amazing exhibits
What it takes to launch a nationwide search for a museum planned
The difference between STEM and STEAM (The A adds the Arts)
Her biggest surprise? “I had no idea I had the skills and tenacity to do this.”
Now what? She’s working with UCSB and the Allosphere project
We know that whatever Sheila puts her mind to, she’s going to make it better, and our City better as a result.