Museum Foundation Making Headway

You may not have heard much about the Northwest Arkansas Museum Foundation recently, so here’s a brief update:

The NWAMF formed in January 2004 to pursue a science and technology museum in the area. Through 2004 and 2005, the Foundation gathered $135,000 in seed money and as of press time, had a verbal conformation that it would get 501(c)(3) (nonprofit tax status). The Foundation has hired White Oak Associates Inc. of Marblehead, Mass., to do a feasibility study.

Brent Robinson, executive director of the Foundation, said the study should begin this summer and may take up to six months. The study will run about $200,000 and Robinson said the cost of it has been covered, but would not reveal details.

The foundation will then have a series of focus groups throughout Benton and Washington counties and take as much input as possible, he said.