HOW TO
CREATE YOUR
OWN FAMILY
MUSEUM
A beginner’s guide
Thanks to our experiences in setting up
museums and exhibition halls for major
families, we created this beginner’s guide to
share with you our best practices.
As every project is different, do not hesitate
to reach out to us and we’ll be happy to
offer some assistance to create your very
own memorable museum!
First Question: Why Do You Want to Do It ?
And you feel it is now the right time
to share it with others
Second Question: What Message Do You
Want to Transmit?
Are you planning to create an art museum where people can
admire great works, a car museum showcasing various
brands along the engineering innovations, or perhaps a
universe that educates, inspires, and embodies the spirit of a
master artist?
Do you intend to have a classic, static “gallery display room”
or are you aiming for a highly interactive environment that
includes large video screens and interactive terminals? Will it
be a space where visitors can access extensive information
through displays similar to Wikipedia?
Third Question: Who Are You Going To Do
It For?
Is it going to be :
● An art museum for art lovers?
● A family museum, where children can touch and explore?
● A museum dedicated to a famous figure, showcasing objects
from their live and tracing their career journey?
● A history museum displaying historical artifacts?
● A science museum where visitors can learn about science and
participate in hands-on experiments?
● A topical museum dedicated to your passion, whether it’s trains,
cars, fashion, photography, dinosaurs, or video games?
There are many possibilities. It's up to you to define your
target audience, and you can trust 220dots to achieve your
goals with a structured approach that ensures the successful
creation of your museum.
Fourth Question: Real-World or Online?
At first glance, creating an online museum seems appealing
because:
● Anyone can access it easily without the need to travel.
● It appears simple to implement, as it mainly involves collecting
pictures, texts, and videos, then finding an agency to build your
website creating the virtual experiences.
● You can also set up an online shop to generate extra revenue.
However, virtual museums or exhibition spaces have some
significant drawbacks:
● Experiencing a painting, a sculpture or a classic car in person
cannot be replicated by a virtual experience.
● There is no feeling linked with physical places like a city, the
house of the artist, a factory, having a drink afterwards… so
something in the experience could be lacking,
● As we've seen with the Metaverse buzz, creating and
maintaining a virtual space is more challenging than it seems.
Many underestimate the effort and resources needed to make it
work.
At 220dots, we've supported the creation of both REAL-
WORLD and ONLINE museums. Both require substantial
effort that shouldn’t be underestimated.
How to Launch your Museum or
Exhibition Hall project in the Best Way?
Starting a museum or exhibition hall might seem like an
overwhelming project, but when broken down into
actionable steps, it becomes much more manageable—
even inspiring. While 220dots has experience creating
virtual museums and exhibition halls, this document will
focus on PHYSICAL museums.
Here’s what we as 220dots propose you to do step by step.
Step 1: Answer the Four Key Questions
Clearly
By providing clear answers to the above four key questions,
you give a solid foundation and a clear definition for your
project.
Step 2: Find a Trusted Executer or Business
Partner
Setting up a museum or exhibition hall requires an experienced
and skilled team. From the start, work with an “Exhibition
Creator” and visit similar places that align with your goals.
Take note of the various elements, displays, interactive
features, and entrance pricing. Observe how these museums
engage with the community, look at their partnerships with
local venues, presence in city guides and connections with tour
operators.
This research will help you compile a list of essentials, nice-to-
haves, standard features, and optional extras for your project.
Step 3: Inventory of Key Objects
Document each object in detail. This includes real assets
such as paintings, cars, photographs, and letters. For
valuable items, also collect all related documentation, such
as invoices, certificates of ownership, and certificates of
authenticity.
Creating a comprehensive inventory is crucial. It helps
identify any missing key elements for your exhibition and
ensures you have a balanced and complete representation
across different periods.
Step 4: Determine Your Funding
Once you’ve decided on the type of museum you want to
establish, the next step is to secure financing for setting up
the museum and its exhibits. You will need to cover various
expenses before the opening day, including:
● Purchasing or renting the space
● Completing interior construction
● Paying the project team
● Transporting and insuring the exhibits
● Hiring and paying the operating staff in advance
If you plan to have a gift shop, you also need to pre-finance
the inventory. Additionally, a robust marketing campaign is
essential to promote the grand opening.
Consider whether you need to sell some of your own works
or seek sponsorship from the city hosting your museum or
exhibition. This process involves building strong networks
with the right people.
Develop a detailed and realistic business plan that estimates
initial costs and forecasts future revenues. Include
projections for ticket sales, gift shop income, and any food or
beverage services.
Step 5: Identify the Ideal Location
The nature of your project may influence its location. For
instance, a museum dedicated to a specific artist would
ideally be situated in a town where the artist lived and
worked, perhaps even in one of their former homes.
If the type of museum you’re establishing does not have a
location-specific requirement, you’ll need to choose a site
based on other factors. This could be a location close to
where you live, allowing you to connect with the local
community, or a strategic choice to attract a broader
audience. Consider placing it near popular venues or
tourist attractions to benefit from existing foot traffic.
Step 6: Recruit your Project Team
To successfully set up your museum or exhibition space,
you’ll need to assemble a skilled team. Key roles include:
● Curators: organize exhibits and confirm the authenticity of
items.
● Researchers: provide data about the assets and create content for
the displays
● Exhibit designers: plan the layout and presentation of all items,
including maps, pamphlets, and information labels.
● Marketing specialist: develop and manage the promotional
campaign to raise awareness and to generate interest in the
museum.
● Revenue managers: handle contracts and agreements to generate
revenue, including deals with the city, travel agencies, and all
merchandising.
● Security officers: ensure the protection of assets, staff, and
visitors.
Step 7: Designing your Museum
Engage an experienced lawyer specializing in exhibition spaces
and business formation. The legal considerations will vary
depending on the location of your museum and whether it
operates for profit or as a non-profit.
With the initial elements and team members in place, start
designing your exhibition spaces. Plan the visitor journey from
entry to exit and develop a detailed layout of the exhibits you
intend to display. Each room should contribute to a cohesive
narrative.
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…
Keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to share information and
to educate people. Ensure each exhibit clearly communicates
its message and provides insights beyond what visitors might
already know.
Consider incorporating technology, from interactive displays to
audio tours, to bring your museum exhibits to the next
level. Remember that people like to have extra experiences
such as:
● Photo opportunities: Create spots where visitors can take
photos to share on social networks, inviting their followers to
visit your place.
● Interactive Replicas: Offer replicas of artifacts that visitors can
touch and manipulate,
● Virtual Detective Tours: Develop story-driven tours that
encourage people searching each room for a key leading them to a
discovery. As a reward, visitors might receive a small goodie.
Engaging visitors in your exhibits encourages them to share
their experiences with friends and social networks, promoting
your museum.
Step 8: Staff your Museum
The right staff, from founding members to tour guides, will
be the backbone of your museum, ensuring smooth
operations and positive community feedback.
Consider distinctive uniforms for staff members who interact
with visitors, as this contributes significantly to the overall
visitor experience. Just as you outfit the crew members on
your yacht.
Step 9: Launch a Big-Bang Marketing
Campaign for the Opening
An impactful marketing and social media campaign plays a
vital role in creating anticipation and drawing visitors on
opening day. The success of your launch sets the stage for
your museum's future. Consider making it unforgettable by
inviting well-known figures, including living artists and
celebrities, to generate excitement and media attention.
Last Step : Pursuing your Passion
The best places are
born out of PASSION,
discovered by CURIOSITY
and visited for their EXPERIENCES.
Make your museum a vibrant and evolving space
with regular updates and events, as it will become a
cornerstone for you and your family.
Sebastien BACUET : CEO
sb@[Link] – WhatsApp : +971 52 401 3741
Erik VAN ROMPAY : COO
evr@[Link] – Whatsapp: +33 679 910 687
