WWC plans a Cultural Wing, a department that plans activities involving the arts which can take place all over the Museum, in the Park, or the Education Center. Classes in the arts and a summer arts camp will be scheduled. WWC also plans an Exhibition Hall in the Museum, which can be used for museum events, workshops, educational forums, seminars and cultural events - music, arts and theater. A flexible space is planned, which can be adjusted to the requirements of special exhibitions, touring museum shows, visual arts or gallery showings, or performances of assorted media. This space will co-exist with the Museum without damaging the integrity of the historic site. We plan to use seating that can be moved and altered as the needs of the event require. We will be consulting with Jules Fisher/Joshua Dachs, Design Consultants, to achieve the maximum flexibility with the greatest effectiveness for multiple usage.

Visual and Performance Arts

We also plan to have a portable hanging system that will enable us to hang an art show within the Museum space or the flexible space. With the flexibility that this plan allows, we propose to present professional artists as well as local groups. We will sponsor performances by professional musician, artists, dancers, theater groups, and multi-media events.

The Museum will from time to time serve as a Gallery for local artists, professionals, school art shows, and juried exhibits, possibly ameliorating the loss of the Bergen County Arts Museum.

We also intend to provide classes in music, art, dance, theater, video, film and other art forms. In our long range plan, we intend to establish a summer arts camp which will serve the youth of our area. These classes will be another source of income for WWC.

Rehearsal Rentals

We will also provide a center for rehearsal and performances of local groups including the Bergen County Players and the Bergen County Youth Orchestra. These groups have both already indicated a willingness to participate in the activities at WWC. They are also part of our financial viability plan, as they will be renting rehearsal and performance space. There are many other similar groups in the area whose usage of the Water Works facilities will provide rental income to support WWC.

Special Events

The Museum and Exhibition Hall will also be available for special events sponsored by groups in the community. An example of these events would be the Society of Industrial Archeology’s annual meeting. We intend to schedule these special events around the other activities of WWC. These special events will provide another source of revenue for WWC.

In a survey of 15 leading Museums and environmental centers, special events were listed as one of the main ways to draw attention to the site, to fund the maintenance of the site, and to encourage the public to explore the site. The Museum of Natural History, Science Central, the Beuhler Space Center, and Liberty Science Center are but a few of the Museums who have advised WWC that special events are a major source of maintenance funding for sites.

We also plan to schedule special Senior Citizen events and hours. Our goal is to provide them easy and rewarding access to all WWC has to offer.