How do I get commisioned to build stuff for museums??

I am in college currently majoring in 20th century history with a minor in physical education, the careers I am currently looking at are in the educational arena, I plan on achieving my masters after a few years of teaching high school , in about a year I will be attending UNT (University of Norh Texas) here in Dallas were they are known for their detailed Military History curriculum, I plan on taking several classes consisting , of the WWII era on through Desert Storm. My goal is to hopfully reach historian status on the Cold War and Middle eastern military history.

That all sounds very cool and I apprerciate your vigor. I am unfortuantely not in a position to hit the books again like that. I am hoping there may be a way I can get into teh "teaching" area without a PhD although a friend of mine says it is very difficult to do so in this area of study. Keep up the good work, I found your Sturmtiger to have a genuinely positive overall appeal.
I tend to detail the heck out of whatever I am working on regardless of how well the kit was molded etc.

I seem to remember that there was a profile in FSM maybe two or three years ago on someone who built models professionally, and I believe he did have some tips for would be professional builders.

I do think that a couple of questions that you should answer before embarking on a model building career are, "How fast of a builder are you?" and "Do you like building on a production basis?" Your comment of detailing the "... the heck out of whatever I am working on..." kind of reminds me of the approach I often take. Unfortunately in my case, since I'm not a particularly fast builder, I could never make it pay off I were to try and sell my work for a living. As far as production line building, my venture into that area during Mad Tiger Day certainly convinced me that doing so was fun for a day, but probably not ideal for a profession.

Good question. Most models , that I have seen in museums , have been donated . In " The Museum of the Regiments" , in Calgary , Alberta , I donated a Centurion Mk 11( Long Range). It depicts , a "Cent" , in Germany, ca. 1970.( Tamiya 1/25 scale " Cent"). It sits in the part of the museum , dedicated to Lord Strathcona's Horse ( Royal Canadians.) A Canadian Armored Regiment , with a proud past , and has served in places like Bosnia , Kosovo , and Afghanistan ,with distinction.
Frank
" PERSEVERANCE"

I think the first thing to do is to let the Museum know that you are available for commission work. They might take you on as a part-time contractor or similar.

As for building models full-time and making a living I would be skeptical, talked to a few guys that are employed to build models for a web-site that offers the kits finished and unfinished they were less than enthusiastic about it.

Maybe for short time it might be fun, but in the long run ...

Sturmtiger? I think your'e talking about Tigerman's model, I only build modern stuff not to into the vast german kits out there.

Building models on commision, for museums , could be fun , and very challenging, if you are up to it , GO FOR IT! it could be an opportunity lost. But remember, for most people , modelling is hobby , a way to relax.I have built models , mostly AFV's , on commision , but these were for retirement gifts., and most were straight out of the box.These were 1/35 scale Centurions , Leopards , and M113's, for members of the Canadian Forces.But give it a try. Who knows , you could end up being the Curator , or assistant curator , or part of the staff that gives tours,of the museum. But always have a Plan " B", in case things , don't come together.I got my sights , on the " Museum of the Regiments" , in Calgary, but as an assistant curator , researcher = looking for historical facts, and finding vehicles that can be refurbished, and guide, not as a full time model builder. I could enjoy working in a place surrounded by history.And to my " Band of Brothers" in Wainwright , I would be working there , not " mummified" , and on display in the Centurion, or the Sherman. LOL at me! Take care , and good luck!
Frank
" PERSEVERANCE"

Is there really a financial future in it? If there is, I'd say go for it. Where else can you get to do what you really like and get paid for it?

Based on my experience as someone who is employed in museum work, with many friends and colleagues who are museum professionals, I thought I'd pass on some ideas. Incidentally, I have a similar kind of gig on the side. I'm a uniform and period clothing specialist and historical tailor, and my expertise involves making hard-to-find military uniforms. I don't make a lot of money from this enterprise when you count the time involved, but it usually brings in enough to pay for an annual trip to Europe. I could probably do better working part-time at the local burger barn, but at least I'm my own boss, and most importantly, I'm doing something I enjoy, which is the best part of all!

I don't want to dash your hopes, but I think the market for that sort of thing is kind of limited. However, that doesn't mean you can't do it as a sideline to bring in some some extra cash. Since most museums these days are struggling to make ends meet, they like to do as much work as possible in-house, employing staff museum technicians and curators to save money. When the necessary expertise isn't reaily availabe, museums will contract work out, and that's where you come in.

Getting the word out is the name of the game. My recommendation is to set up a website with some good pics of your work, graphics and a well-written description of what you can do for your customers. It's going to take a while, but this will allow you to build your customer base as your reputation grows. Nothing succeeds like success!

Since the market for armor and aircraft models is limited, you might want to expand into dioramas and models of all kinds. For example, there are museums that are devoted to agriculture and might want a farm scene with tractors and farm implements. Also, a museum might not always be interested in a super-detailed model. Rather than building from scratch, you might be able to get by with diecast models just fine. Hey, don't knock it, you're just giving the customer what he wants.

There you have it. Hope the above is useful, and good luck!

I am by trade a graphic designer and also trained in MCSE but I would love to do something like this for partial compensation. I suppose I really need to teach history or maybe look into writing... I have a love of the fine arts, the catch is to make something of the creations. I have a friend that is a fine artist and she still has to have a day job. She is well known and does fairly well but still cannot rely on that alone.
I think I will take the advice and look into contacting military outposts and the like here to see if there is some work i can do. Maybe even donations that can lead to a commission.
Thanks to all! I will add a link to my profile once the website is functional. I also do that as a designer.

- Have a portfolio of work to show your perspective client.
- Find out out how get added to the RFB list for the museum in question.
- Have a realistic build frame. Once you start to build commercialy you now build for someone else, meaning you are on their schedule, not yours.
- Aquire a thick skin. A very thick skin. You might think you build good but you will be surprised how fast they will come up and plainly look at you in the eye and say "You suck". Remember its a bsuiness, don't take it personal and again....you are building to someone elses aesthetic, not yours. And that someone is not only the museum staff, but every person that comeby your display.
- Museum builds have several levels of quality. Some are stand off, meaning you are building to a level of detail that looks good from a distance, or just to show a general layout of how the area looked, equipment, scale etc. Some are super detailed.
- RFB are sent out and the lowest bidder closely matching the time schedule, technique and background gets the job. That is unless someone on the BoD has a nephew or niece trying to make it big as a model builder. In that case, find other work.
- Get used to research. Lots of research. Better than what the museum may offer you. Because if you get one thing wrong and someone spots it (and they will at the worst possible time in the loudest possible manner) "you will never work in ths town again".
- Have a side job. Museum displays are usually set up by design firms that either do it themselves or subcontract out. Or.....as was mentioned. The local IPMS chapter decies they want some exposure and decide to do it for free. So not only are you under bid, you also have 20 guys doing a job you would have been alone doing.
-Canvas architectural firms, museum staffs, patronage organizations for those museums, educational centers, PR departments with info flyer to make yourself known. Market your service to everyone and anyone that you think is connected with that museum.
- Love your work, but don't be in love with your work. If the museum director or client wants something and you tell them otherwise, you will make them mad, make them feel like you are discrediting their knowledge, or talk till your blue in the face. They want it a certain way and you will build to their spec. Unless they give you free creative license which even if they do, they won't. Expect changes...lots of changes. Stupid changes. Really stupid changes and then change it back to the way it was originally.
- Find a side job......again. i.e. Here's $5K to build a model of the Mary Rose as it was on the bottom of the ocean. Oooops, you got a down payment or security of $500, project was cancelled. Thank you.....buh bye.
- Good luck with it. Hopefully you won't try to make a hobby you enjoy into a business that you will despise. But if you do, I hope you continue to enjoy it as both. You will be the envy of all of us here.