Richard Rich

Background

About Richard Rich

My museum career started out (unknowingly) working for a number of years as an electronics and electro mechanical technician in fields such as research and development for inertial guidance and flight control systems, elevator controls, computer based test and measurement systems, and alternative energy designing controls for small hydro-turbines. While some of my projects durning this time were fun and challenging, I discovered corporations and I were not a good fit. I was always a hands on learner and, after much research, decided I would be better suited to informal education. My engineering skills transferred well into interactive exhibit design, fabrication and repair, traveling exhibit set up and so on. Every day in the museum field is generally a trill ride compared to some of my big company jobs. I was at the Science Center of Connecticut (now The Children’s Museum) for 14 years working my way up to becoming Director of Exhibits. Eventualy I left to work independently in the museum field doing exhibits, project management and displays for small museums, businesses and associations. I find my interests moving from keeping hands on exhibits alive to keeping non-profits as a whole alive. I am becoming more interested in management; development and helping museums cope with change and growth. Specialties: • Traveling exhibits, all facets; contracts, shipping, set-up, temp labor, condition and facility reports, etc. • Exhibit design, fabrication and repair. • Museum day to day operations. • Creation of museum polices and methods to implement strategic plans. • Initial establishment and start up management of new initiatives and programs or the repair of existing ones. Energy Conservation and building management.