Educational Consultant for Major Expansion of Programs at New England Air Museum

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Title: Strategic Evaluation and Enhancement of Education & Workforce Development Programs at the New England Air Museum (NEAM)

Issued by: New England Air Museum (NEAM)

Date Issued: February 28, 2024

Deadline for Submissions: March 31, 2025

I. General Scope of Work

NEAM seeks proposals from qualified consultants or organizations with experience in aviation and aerospace museum education, workforce development, and strategic planning to provide a comprehensive review and actionable recommendations for its education programs. The successful candidate will analyze trends, peer institutions, program impact, and expansion opportunities to establish a robust framework for education and workforce development through 2027.

Key Areas of Focus:

1. 1. 21st Century Aviation/Aerospace Industry Education & Career Pathways
   • Define 21st-century education and workforce development programs for aviation and aerospace museums.
   • Identify current trends in aviation and aerospace museum education, including STEM/STEAM integration, career pathways, and workforce development.
   1. Benchmarking Peer Institutions
   • Identify peer air museums with robust education programs that generate higher foot traffic and revenue than NEAM.
   • Provide case studies on how these institutions achieve success and sustainability.
   1. Impact of Proximity to Operating Airports
   • Assess whether air museums located near operational airports have a strategic advantage in career-focused education programs.
   • Recommend ways NEAM can leverage Bradley International Airport and other aviation assets in the region.
   1. Engaging and Retaining Donors
   • Develop strategies for showcasing NEAM’s education programs in a way that attracts and retains repeat donors and funding sources.
   1. Impact of Proximity to Aviation and Aerospace Companies
   • Assess whether air museums located near concentration of aviation/aerospace companies (OEMs, suppliers, contractors, etc.) have a strategic advantage in career-focused education programs.

II. NEAM-Specific Scope of Work

1. 1. Assessment of NEAM Education Programs
   • Review NEAM’s education program visitor numbers, revenue, and cost structure.
   • Recommend immediate, short-term, and long-term strategies with action steps to increase program visibility, participants, and income through 2027.
   • Provide a 3–5-year budget framework for implementing these recommendations.
   1. Audience Analysis & Outreach Strategies
   • Conduct demographic and geographic analysis of NEAM’s audience, including:
     • Drive-in visitors
     • Local residents (full-time and part-time)
     • Tourists
   • Identify expansion opportunities and characteristics of New England to leverage in outreach efforts.
   • Recommend strategies to better connect NEAM’s education programs with its audiences.
   1. Program Performance and Prioritization
   • Enumerate air museum education programs nationwide that attract the most participants and generate the highest revenue.
   • Determine which programs should be prioritized at NEAM based on potential impact and sustainability.
   • Define key metrics to track the success of these programs.
   1. Alignment of Education & Development Departments
   • Recommend joint goals that NEAM’s Education and Development departments should pursue for long-term growth.
   • Define the role of STEAM in NEAM’s education programming.
   1. Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations
   • Identify Connecticut-based (focus on CT, but expand to New England states + NY?) K-12 schools, organizations, associations, tourism venues, colleges/universities, and career training programs relevant to aviation and aerospace.
   • Recommend priority partnerships and collaboration strategies for education and workforce development.
   • Identity New England-based aerospace/aviation OEMs, suppliers, contractors etc. and recommend collaboration and/or partnership strategies for education and workforce development.
   1. Utilization of NEAM’s 56-Acre Property
   • Assess opportunities to expand educational programming using more of NEAM’s lease property.
   • Provide recommendations for outdoor programming, aviation camps, interactive exhibits, and infrastructure enhancements.
   1. Addressing Barriers to Participation
   • Develop strategies to attract adults, families, and communities who face participation barriers due to information access, financial constraints, transportation, or digital literacy.
   1. International Outreach & ‘Aviation English’ Programs
   • Assess the feasibility and benefits of attracting more English-speaking international students and visitors to NEAM’s education programs.
   • Provide recommendations on implementation strategies for an international outreach initiative.
   1. Enhancing Membership & Incentives
   • Recommend innovative membership benefits that integrate NEAM’s education programs.
   • Identify incentives that could increase membership renewals, visitor numbers, and donations.
   1. Tracking & Documentation
   • Develop best practices for tracking NEAM visitor engagement with education programs, exhibits, tours, and digital/remote offerings.
   • Recommend improvements for record-keeping, data collection, and impact measurement.
   1. Education Committee & Staffing Best Practices
   • Define the ideal role, responsibilities, and composition of NEAM’s Education Committee.

III. Qualifications & Submission Requirements

Eligibility Criteria:

• • At least ten years of prior experience working in the museum field; prior experience working with/within aviation/aerospace museums is preferred
  • Strong expertise in education programming, workforce development, and museum strategic planning.
  • Ability to provide a prior client list and references from museums they have worked with.
  • Preference for consultants or firms based in New England who can work in person as needed (not just via Zoom).

Submission Requirements:

1. 1. Cover Letter
   2. Proposal addressing the scope of work
   3. Qualifications, experience, and prior client list
   4. Work plan and timeline
   5. Proposed budget
   6. References

Submission Deadline: March 31, 2025

IV. Posting & Distribution

This RFQ will be posted on the following platforms:

• • New England Museum Association (NEMA) job board
  • Connecticut League of Museums
  • American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
  • American Alliance of Museums (AAM)

NEAM reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or to negotiate contract terms with the selected consultant.

For additional inquiries, please contact:

Stephanie Abrams

President & CEO

New England Air Museum

36 Perimeter Rd.

Windsor Locks, CT 06096

Office: 860-623-3305 ext. 312

Mobile: 917.923.3403