This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Historic Resources Committee and International Committee .
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The U.S. Commercial Service-Moscow has been approached by the Director of the State Russian Museum regarding their interest in increasing public accessibility for the handicapped. This may be a significant opportunity -- the Russian Museum, which is the premier museum in St. Petersburg dedicated to Russian art, occupies five historic buildings in the center of the city: the Mikhailovsky Palace, the Marble Palace, the Stroganov Palace, the Ethnographic Museum and St. Michael's (or Engineer's) Castle. On a related note, the Museum will be hosting an exhibit (co-sponsored by the Consulate) in September by disabled artists.
The Director is interested in equipment and technology to renovate and update their sites to be handicap accessible. While the actual procurement opportunities are still to be determined, there is an immediate first step which is outlined below.
The Director is specifically interested in obtaining expertise from a U.S. consultant/organization that has the required knowledge and experience to advise the Museum on how to approach this transformation. Of particular note is the need for expertise in renovating historic buildings. The U.S. Commercial Service is looking for someone that could consult with the Russian Museum on designing a plan to reconfigure/retrofit the museum -- someone who can visit the museum, talk with the historic preservationists, etc. and give an overview of what can be done to increase accessibility. Ideally, someone who can look at the buildings from both a design and technological perspective and who can make recommendations for technologies or design changes that could be incorporated into the buildings to make the Museum more accessible.
For more information, please contact:
Robyn Kessler
Commercial Attaché
U.S. Commercial Service - Moscow
Robyn.Kessler@trade.gov Phone: +7 (495) 728-5306
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Derek Washam
Manager, Federal & International Programs
AIA Government Advocacy
Washington DC
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