Museum of Science Fiction

Museum of Science Fiction
Established April 2013 (2013-04)
Location Washington, D.C.
Type Science Fiction Museum
Director Greg Viggiano
Curator Regan Samul
Website www.museumofsciencefiction.org

The Museum of Science Fiction (MOSF) is a 501c(3) nonprofit museum to be based in Washington, D.C. It was founded in the spring of 2013 by Greg Viggiano and a team of 22 volunteer professionals with a goal of becoming the world's first comprehensive science fiction museum.[1][2][3]

Since 2016, the museum publishes the triannual MOSF Journal of Science Fiction.

Establishment

The Museum of Science Fiction was planning to open a preview museum in late 2015 as a step toward opening the full museum in 2018. The preview museum is envisioned to be a 4,000 square foot multi-purpose location, open for 48 months near a DC Metro station before redeployment as a satellite location that travels to other global cities to promote the Museum and its mission. This first physical iteration of the preview museum was to feature four gallery change-outs to encourage higher revisit-rates and provide a way for curators to capture early visitor feedback. The interior was expected to also function as a venue for special events including dinners, presentations, film screenings, and lectures with seating for up to 150 attendees.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Despite an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign not reaching its goal,[12] in July 2014 the museum hosted an architecture design contest[13] for the museum's first home, with locations in D.C. and northern Virginia under consideration.[14][15] The site selection process was expected to be completed by the end of 2014, with the Preview Museum opening in 2015 and the full-scale 50,000 square-foot facility in 2018.[16][17]

The Museum is intended to encompass seven permanent galleries that celebrate and encourage the human tendency to always ask, "What if?" The permanent galleries include: The Creators; Other Worlds; Vehicles; Time Travels; Aliens, Creatures, and Altered Life; Computers and Robots; and Technology.[18] Science fiction is to be presented as a form of rational speculation that has influenced and been influenced by scientific and technological progress for centuries.[19]

From August 2014, the museum was hosting an exhibit design competition seeking exhibits that will be used in the four-year life of the preview museum.[20]

Activities

MOSF Journal of Science Fiction

MOSF Journal of Science Fiction  
Discipline Science fiction studies
Language English
Publication details
Publisher
Museum of Science Fiction (United States)
Publication history
 2016-present
Frequency Triannual
Yes
License Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Links

The MOSF Journal of Science Fiction is a triannual peer-reviewed open access academic journal of science fiction studies, published by the Museum of Science Fiction since January 2016.[21] The editors-in-chief are Heather McHale, Rachel Lazarus, Monica Louzon, and Barbara Jasny.[22]

According to its editorial policy, the journal "seeks to uphold the spirit of educated inquiry and speculation through the publication of peer-reviewed, academic articles, essays and book reviews exploring the myriad facets of science fiction". It plans to publish three issues a year with 8 to 12 academic articles per issue.[23] Its contents are subject to a Creative Commons Attribution License.

Partnerships

The museum has partnered with the John Eaton Elementary School (Washington DC) to bring a range of STEAM programs to local school children using science fiction as an educational tool. The museum will work with educators to develop enrichment experiences and classroom workshops for students. Planned activities include the art of storytelling, writing, illustration techniques, and numerous project-based learning science activities.[24] Additional notable partnerships which have been reported in the Washington Post include the Science Channel and Awesome Con.[25]

Events

The Museum of Science Fiction hosts or partners on a number of events, most notably its monthly science fiction movie screening in conjunction with the District of Columbia Public Library system.[26] They also have a growing number of traveling design exhibitions, including an Architectural Design Competition Exhibition.[27][28]

References

  1. ↑ "Help Build The Museum of Science Fiction in Washington, D.C.!". Tor.com. 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  2. ↑ Snider, Mike (November 4, 2013). "Funds sought for science fiction museum lift-off". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  3. ↑ Parker, Loanne (28 March 2014). "Which Museums Show Real Promise?". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Museum of Science Fiction To Open in Washington DC".
  5. ↑ "Museum of Science Fiction Preview Museum".
  6. ↑ "Museum of Science Fiction Selects Design for Preview Museum".
  7. ↑ "Frankenstein to Star Trek: Sci-Fi Museum Coming to DC".
  8. ↑ "Museum of Science Fiction Planned for DC".
  9. ↑ "New Museum of Science Fiction Planning Washington, DC Preview Site".
  10. ↑ "Photos: Museum Of Science Fiction Gears Up To Enter Next Phase".
  11. ↑ "Sci-fi museum eyes preview sites in Crystal City, DC waterfront".
  12. ↑ Sadon, Rachel (2014-03-10). "What is happening with D.C.'s Museum of Science Fiction?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2014-07-31.
  13. ↑ "Museum of Science Fiction Architecture Design Competition Winners". MuseumofScienceFiction.org/. Retrieved 2014-10-13.
  14. ↑ "Design Competition". Museum of Science Fiction.
  15. ↑ "Photos: Museum Of Science Fiction Gears Up To Enter Next Phase". dcist. 2014-07-18. Retrieved 2014-08-01.
  16. ↑ Kelly, John (2013-11-04). "Sci-fi fans plan museum for Washington — and want your help". The Washington Post.
  17. ↑ Paschall, Valerie (November 5, 2013). "More Details Revealed About Museum of Science Fiction - Coming Attractions - Curbed DC". Dc.curbed.com. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  18. ↑ "MOSF – Galleries — Museum of Science Fiction". Museumofsciencefiction.org. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  19. ↑ "The Museum of Science Fiction Kickstarts A Front in Washington, D.C". ScienceFiction.com. 2013-11-10. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  20. ↑ "D.C.'s Museum of Science Fiction Wants To Pay For Your Design". TheMarySue.com. 2014-08-28. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  21. ↑ Liptak, Andrew (30 January 2016). "The Museum of Science Fiction Debuts Their Scholarly Journal's First Issue". io9. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  22. ↑ "Editorial Team". MOSF Journal of Science Fiction. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  23. ↑ "Editorial Policies". MOSF Journal of Science Fiction. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  24. ↑ "Museum of Science Fiction Announces Pilot Program with DC Public Elementary School" (PDF).
  25. ↑ "What is happening with D.C.'s Museum of Science Fiction".
  26. ↑ "Museum of Science Fiction Seeks Designers, Finds Partnership".
  27. ↑ "Museum of Science Fiction Events".
  28. ↑ "Here’s Your First Look at the Much-Anticipated Museum of Science Fiction".

External links

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