Lāth Carlson - Useful Museum Services
Select Past Work and Experience
Lāth Carlson
Professional Experience
Executive Director - Museum of the Future (Dubai, U.A.E.)
May 2019 - Present
As the museum’s founding Executive Director, my charge was to build a world class museum of a new genre (future oriented museums) on an aggressive timeline. Some of my key accomplishments have been:
• Completed construction of one of the most complex buildings in the world during a global pandemic
• Oversaw the design and production of three floors of highly immersive exhibitions, one floor of traditional displays, and a children’s experience. All in collaboration with artists and designers from around the globe, also during a pandemic
• Exhibition tickets have been sold out every day since opening in Feb. 2022, typically 2 weeks in advance, 1.2 Million annual visitors
• Achieved highly favorable international press coverage
• Achieved Google Review score of 4.6 with over 3000 reviews in first 3 months
• Retail sales are well over budget, and some of the highest per basket sales of any museum
• F&B sales are well over budget, as are sales from robotic barista
• Event rentals are well over budget
• Completed Master Plan and Business Plan within first 6 months
• Developed organizational structures, job descriptions, recruitment and interviewing methodologies, training programs, performance management systems, and review processes
• Recruited all senior staff and built team from 3 to over 200.
• Established commercial partnerships with corporations such as Audi, Visa, SAP, Emirates Airlines, and PepsiCo
• Established partnerships with government entities such as Dubai Energy and Water Authority, Dubai Road and Transport Authority, Dubai Holdings, and Dubai Municipality
• Built an in-house retail team to create a bespoke museum store concept and 50% bespoke merchandise
• Led the development of a new mobile responsive website with bespoke time-ticketing interface and ecommerce integration
• Oversaw the branding process and developed digital first marketing strategy
• Oversaw the procurement and implementation of over 40 technology solutions
Executive Director and CEO- Living Computers: Museum + Labs (Seattle)
August 2015 - January 2019
As the museum's first Director and CEO some of my key accomplishments were:
• Led museum from obscurity to the #1 rated museum in Seattle on Google and #3 on TripAdvisor in three years. #5 Seattle Attraction on TripAdvisor.
• Increased visitation 385% in three years and earned revenue 936%. Members increased 1900%.
• Founding Director tasked by museum founder Paul G. Allen with transforming a private collection of vintage computers into a vital community resource for engaging people with the potential of technology.
• Completed Exhibits, Programs, and Facilities Master Plan for museum expansion in 3 months and secured funding to move forward on a 12 month schedule.
• Hired a local architect and led the planning for 15,000 sq. ft. of architectural renovations to the museum building.
• Led the design and creation of new permanent exhibits featuring current technology.
• Led the funding, design, and construction of three state-of-the-art computer science education labs.
• Opened expanded museum under budget and within one week of 12 month schedule.
• More than doubled the staff of the museum. Zero turnover with management staff in 3 years.
• Established strong partnerships with Seattle schools, companies, universities, and institutions.
• Oversaw the curation, design and creation of a new permanent Apple exhibit.
• Oversaw the completion the temporary exhibitions: EdTech: 50 Years of Computers and Learning, Barbie Gets with the Program, Tiny Hidden Everywhere: The Microchip, and Totally 80s Rewind.
• Led the acquisition of important items to the collection including ex-Steve Jobs Apple 1, Cray-1 and Cray-2.
• Led the development of a new mobile responsive website and a major revision the following year.
• Led the rebranding process and first ever marketing efforts.
VP-Exhibits and Content Development- The Tech Museum of Innovation (San Jose)
February 2012- August 2015
Transformed The Tech into a community resource for innovation through facilitated museum experiences and useful spaces.
• Established the new vision for the institution, “To become a resource for innovation.”
• Completed Exhibits, Programs, and Facilities Master Plan for total museum renovation with Community, Board, Staff and Volunteer input.
• Part of core fundraising team working with individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Established strong partnerships with Silicon Valley companies, universities, and institutions.
• Led the planning and completion of architectural renovations to the Ricardo Legorreta designed building.
• Led to planning for nine permanent exhibits and the completion of three, Social Robots, Body Metrics, and Cyber Detectives. Substantial work completed on BioDesign Studio and Innovations in Healthcare.
• Led the completion the temporary exhibits: Maker Faire @ The Tech and REBOOT:music
• Led the completion of program facilities: The Tech Studio (FabLab and Makerspace), Hands-On Science Workshop and The Institute for Design Challenge Learning.
• Led a new Civic Innovation Initiative which resulted in two Knight Foundation grants.
• Led the visioning, development and implementation of a revision of the museum’s visitor personalization and extension platform, the SmartMuseum. Project included custom databases, RFID tickets, and mobile responsive web portal, my.thetech.org.
• Cofounded the Museum Design Education Collaborative and contributed to successful IMLS grant proposal.
Leadership Fellow- Noyce Leadership Institute
March 2014- Present
The Noyce Leadership Institute (NLI) is a highly competitive fellowship program that provided museum executives with intense leadership training. The yearlong program engaged 18 international fellows in executive coaching, personality assessment, adaptive change management, community engagement, media training, and mentorship. NLI is committed to expanding the impact of museums in their communities by increasing the capacity of their leaders to manage change, focus outward, engage peers and form key partnerships. Cohort 7 was the final cohort, with the focus shifting to the alumni network, made up of the most innovative museum leaders in the world. Served as committee member and presenter for 2nd and 4th annual alumni summits. Now called the Informal Learning Leadership Collaborative, an independent 501(c)3.
Board Member- National Association for Museum Exhibition
January 2012- January 2014
Western Regional Rep.
Senior Lecturer- The University of the Arts (Philadelphia)
September 2009 - May 2012
Formerly taught Exhibition Materials and Technologies in the Museum Exhibition Planning and Design Masters Program.
• Created the curriculum, syllabus and taught the required course, “MSEM 616 - Exhibit Materials & Technologies”
• Guest lecturer in other courses, and mentored students as a Graduate Thesis Adviser.
VP- Museums+Environments- Art Guild Inc. (New Jersey & Las Vegas)
January 2009- February 2012
• Responsible for the operation of the Museum Division and successful completion of nationally prominent museum exhibition projects. Increased profitably 15% and client retention to 90%.
• Led Museum sales, estimating, project management, production (Union), installation and project close out.
• Reorganized division and led staff recruitment and management. <10% turnover since departure.
• Acted as Corporate COO, creating innovative IT systems, efficient operations, procedures, facilities and staffing which supported company-wide goals for the corporation.
Director- Interactive Technology- Art Guild Inc. (New Jersey)
January 2005 - January 2009
Established the Interactive Technologies Department within Art Guild Inc., fulfilling the interactive experience needs of the Museum, Trade Show and Retail Divisions.
Manager- Interactive Technology- Lynch Exhibits (New Jersey)
January 2001 - January 2005
Managed the final design, engineering and fabrication of all interactive exhibits built by Folio Museums and Environments group, later acquired by Lynch Exhibits.
Exhibit Designer/ Prototyper/ Project Manager- The Franklin Institute Science Museum (Philly)
January 1999 - January 2001
Developed, Designed, Prototyped, Engineered and Project Managed creation of unique permanent exhibits focusing on science and technology. Lead interactive designer/engineer on The Sports Challenge, KidScience, The Train Factory and Space Command.
Exhibit Designer- The Please Touch Museum (Philadelphia)
January 1998 - January 1999
• Developed, Designed, Engineered and Project Managed creation of unique age-appropriate exhibits.
• Managed budgets and contracts with outside fabricators.
• Managed the construction process and assisted in fabrication of complex interactive components.
Exhibit Projects included: Barnyard Babies, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and Let's Make Music.
Director of Design and Manufacturing- Chestnut Display Systems (Philadelphia)
January 1996 - December 1997
• Designed, Engineered and Project Managed retail, point-of-purchase and trade show displays for major corporations.
• Prepared estimates and monitored job costs for all projects.
• Oversaw purchasing, tooling, outsourcing and production.
Exhibit Designer/ Fabricator- Maxwell Museum of Anthropology (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
January 1992 - May 1995
• Assisted in the design, fabrication and installation of temporary exhibits.
• Crafted display cases, artifact mounts and scenic props.
• Artifact handler and mount maker.
• Designed and produced graphics and murals.