New Strategic Plan

North Philadelphia's Wagner Free Institute of Science is over 150 years old and has been a National Historic Landmark for two decades. The institute provides a wide range of educational opportunities, including a field trip program for public and private school children of all levels, and free science courses for adults. Wagner staff worked with two consultants—one for creative growth (Cathy Fukushima) and one for organizational management (Nancy Burd)—to devise a strategic plan that expands the scope of its programming and responds to increased audience demand. As part of this process, Wagner staff developed new ways to build revenue while maintaining a strong commitment to free public access, especially to underserved communities in the surrounding area. One of the key results of this process was a strategic decision to further engage local colleges and universities, a direction that became the focus of a 2012 Discovery Grant. 1

• 1. Management grants, through the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative, were awarded from 2009 through 2013.