13 minute read
GILMORE CAR MUSEUM (WINTER WORKSHOPS
RPM FOUNDATION GRANT APPLICATION
Name of your organization:
Gilmore Car Museum
Date of this application:
12/2/2021
Address:
6865 W Hickory Rd Hickory Corners, MI 49060
Telephone Number:
(269)671-5089
E-mail Website EIN info@gilmorecarmuseum.org https://gilmorecarmuseum.org 38-6154163
Person to Contact Regarding this Proposal:
Amy Everhart Perry, Director of Development and Membership
Phone Number/E-mail Address:(269) 953-9011 aperry@gilmorecarmuseum.org
Amount Requested: Total Project Budget: 3,000 8,000
Total Department Budget: 110,000
The RPM Foundation funds education and training for the next generation of restoration craftsmen and artisans.
We encourage your application. Thank
1. Provide a brief description of the program/project for which you are requesting funding.
GILMORE WINTER WORKSHOP PROGRAM AND SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT Our Gilmore Winter Workshop series (Saturday classes) each provide five hours of tech education for beginners, hobbyists, and enthusiasts on a variety of topics across auto repair, restoration, and hot rodding, including content on tools, techniques, materials, pro tips, tricks and demonstrations. Cost is $50 per participant and includes the class, lunch, and museum access. Capacity is limited to 30 participants per class and is open to all ages. Support from RPM Foundation would enable us to provide scholarships to at least 5 student attendees per workshop (ages 14-22) to attend at no cost and would sponsor programming costs for one workshop. This would be a fantastic opportunity for Garage Works students seeking extra challenge and growth, or other area youth unable to attend standard weekday Garage Works classes.
We are planning to host at least three Winter Workshops in February and March of 2022. One of the tentative instructors, Matt Murray of Iron Trap Garage, is also planning to facilitate a Summer Apprenticeship session. A winter workshop with Matt will provide exceptional promotional opportunities for the summer program.
2. Who will this grant help and how?
By supporting the Winter Workshop series, this grant would support youth participation in Gilmore Car Museum programs that foster critical skills necessary to restore and preserve collector vehicles by supporting hands-on training and develop the next generation of enthusiasts, restorers, and craftspeople.
These Gilmore Garage Works programs bring together subject-matter expert instructors, adult mentors, and eager students for meaningful hands-on technical instruction. The experience helps to prepare young people for the workforce, with both technical and soft skills, and helps to illuminate career paths for young people in automotive restoration, repair, and the skilled trades.
3. How many students will benefit from your request, and what age range are they?
At least 15 participants (ages 14-22) would benefit from the Gilmore Winter Workshop scholarships.
4. If you were to be awarded only a portion of your grant request, do you have the ability to fund the remaining portion? List any alternate sources of funding, and describe your institution’s and community’s commitment to your program.
The Winter Workshop series will be in its second-annual run this year, and we are committed to this offering as part of our educational programming. Support from RPM Foundation would enable us to go “above and beyond,” however if we do not receive the grant, we still plan to utilize Gilmore and partner resources to provide this program.
5. Restoration and preservation professionals are artists and craftspeople. Describe the skills and techniques being taught at your institution and how many hours students are spending receiving hands-on training and classroom learning.
The Gilmore Car Museum provides opportunity for more than 350 annual hours of hands-on training and classroom learning, including Gilmore Garage Works, Winter Workshops Series, Winter Lecture Series, "Hoods Up!" Horsepower Tours, and special featured lectures/presentations.
Technical skills and techniques being taught through Gilmore Garage Works programs include: -Classic car and motorcycle restoration -General automotive repair -Engine rebuilding and performance modifications -Sheetmetal fabrication and metal shaping -Chassis fabrication -Suspension & steering -Manual & hydraulic brake systems -Drivetrain, transmissions, and axles -Welding and metal finishing -Woodworking -Automotive electrical & electronic systems -Paint & body -Interior & trim
6. The RPM Foundation's mission is to support pathways to careers in restoration and preservation. Give examples of how your program directly impacted, or will impact, individuals in their vehicle restoration careers.
The Winter Workshop series falls under the umbrella of our Garage Works program, fulfilling the goal of providing hands-on technical education in automotive restoration.
Since its inception in 2009, the Gilmore Garage Works program has served over 100 students. Some students participate for several years.
Below are a few highlights of recent participants: • In 2017, a high school senior participated in Garage Works and our Great Race team. She went on to complete an associate degree in High Performance Motorsports from the University of Northwestern Ohio and is currently working as a mechanic for
Andretti Autosports. In a recent conversation, she shared she wishes she had known of Garage Works earlier so she could have participated for more than one year, and she attributes Garage Works as a contributor toward the doors that have opened for her in her career so far. • Of our current volunteer mentors for Gilmore Garage Works, three are young adults that participated in the program as students and have returned to give back as mentors. These young people work in relevant industries nearby. One of these young volunteers is half of a father/son team that volunteers together. The father recently said, “We are stewards of these vehicles for only one part of history, and it is our responsibility to teach the next generation how to care for them.” • Two of our recent graduates are currently working as technicians at local car dealerships. Shops from across the state have contacted our program directors to inquire about Garage Works students that might be looking for jobs or apprenticeships. • A current participant, a high school junior, plans to attend McPherson College for their automotive restoration program, and has already received an offer of employment for a restoration shop in Michigan upon completion of the McPherson program. • The Winter Workshop series provides additional opportunity for students to experience hands-on education with renowned topical experts.
Office: 2702 East D Street, Tacoma, WA98421 | Toll Free: 855.537.4579 | Email: info@rpm.foundation | Website: www.rpm.foundation
December 2, 2021
RPM Foundation 2702 E D St. Tacoma, WA 98421
Dear selection committee:
It is with excitement that we submit two applications for your consideration during this grant cycle. Both requests fall under the umbrella of our Gilmore Garage Works education program, the first being a new Summer Apprenticeship program for Summer 2022, and the second providing scholarship opportunities for youth to participate in our returning Winter Workshop series. Both programs provide hands-on technical education with renowned experts. These experiences help to prepare young people for the workforce with both technical and soft skills and illuminate career paths for young people in automotive restoration, repair, and the skilled trades. We share with the RPM Foundation a passion and commitment to engaging the next generation of restoration and preservation craftspeople through hands-on training and look forward to collaborations with the foundation on these projects as well as other potential connections in the future.
Please contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss any of the details in the attached application. Thank you for your consideration, and for your work in promoting this vital industry! Respectfully,
Amy Everhart Perry Josh Russell Director of Development and Membership Executive Director aperry@gilmorecarmuseum.org jrussell@gilmorecarmuseum.org (269)953-9011 direct (269)953-9036 direct
(517)612-9452 cell (847)812-8230 cell
Gilmore Car Museum 6865 W Hickory Rd Hickory Corners, MI 49060 (269)671-5089 info@gilmorecarmuseum.org gilmorecarmuseum.org EIN 38-6154163
Amy Everhart Perry Director of Development and Membership (269)953-9011 aperry@gilmorecarmuseum.org Amount requested: $3,000 Total project budget: $8,000 Total department budget: $110,000
ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION
The mission of the Gilmore Car Museum is to tell the history of America through the automobile and foster experiences which connect people with the history, heritage, and social impact of the automobile through collecting, preserving, and interpreting its story. The Gilmore Car Museum was established in 1966 by Genevieve and Donald S. Gilmore and first opened with a collection of 35 cars on display. Today, the Gilmore Car Museum is North America’s largest auto museum with over 400 vehicles on display and over 190,000 square feet of exhibit space. The Museum is open year-round, and we welcome over 130,000 guests annually. Education is the primary mission of the museum. Through the development of programming and well-balance interpretive exhibits, we are an important resource for our communities and attendees from around the world.
Education programs at the Gilmore Car Museum include: • Model T Driving Lessons available for purchase, a contributor of revenue for the museum. • Hands-on museum activities for youth, including our Automotive Activity Center supported through a grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation. • School group visits: all K-12 groups are welcomed to the museum for free. • Red Barns Raceway, a 9’x29’ four-lane Scalextric track, one of five stations for school groups visiting the museum. Participants engage in applied science, technology, engineering, and math as they navigate the physics and other components needed for a successful race. • Winter Lecture Series and Winter Workshops featuring renowned guest speakers/facilitators including: o “How to Paint Your Classic, Collector, or Project Car” (workshop) with Tracy Tichenor, professional bodyman, painter, and custom car builder
o “MG – An Interdisciplinary Education” (lecture) by John Twist, MG & British car repair, maintenance, restoration, expert and owner/educator at University Motors Ltd. • Family Day and Congress of Motorcars, a hands-on experience of automotive history for all ages. • Gilmore Garage Works, an after-school automotive restoration program for high school students established in 2009. This program currently serves about 20 local students and meets Tuesdays/Thursdays during the school year from 4 to 7 pm. There is no cost to participants, and students are provided dinner and all materials/equipment needed to participate. Tracks include welding, engine building, motorcycles, fabrication, and painting, and many students in the program go on to work in the automotive industry.
PROPOSAL SUMMARY
Gilmore Winter Workshop Program and Scholarship Support: $3,000 Our Gilmore Winter Workshop series (Saturday classes) each provide five hours of tech education for beginners, hobbyists, and enthusiasts on a variety of topics across auto repair, restoration, and hot rodding, including content on tools, techniques, materials, pro tips, tricks and demonstrations. Cost is $50 per participant and includes the class, lunch, and museum access. Capacity is limited to 30 participants per class and is open to all ages. Support from RPM Foundation would enable us to provide scholarships to at least 5 student attendees per workshop (ages 14-22) to attend at no cost and would sponsor programming costs for one workshop. This would be a fantastic opportunity for Garage Works students seeking extra challenge and growth, or other area youth unable to attend standard weekday Garage Works classes.
We are planning to host at least three Winter Workshops in February and March of 2022. One of the tentative instructors, Matt Murray of Iron Trap Garage, is also planning to facilitate a Summer Apprenticeship session. A winter workshop with Matt will provide exceptional promotional opportunities for the summer program.
WHO WILL THIS GRANT HELP AND HOW?
By supporting the Winter Workshop series, this grant would support youth participation in Gilmore Car Museum programs that foster critical skills necessary to restore and preserve collector vehicles by supporting hands-on training and develop the next generation of enthusiasts, restorers, and craftspeople. These Gilmore Garage Works programs bring together subject-matter expert instructors, adult mentors, and eager students for meaningful hands-on technical instruction. The experience helps to prepare young people for the workforce, with both technical and soft skills, and helps to illuminate career paths for young people in automotive restoration, repair, and the skilled trades.
STUDENT IMPACT
At least 15 participants (ages 14-22) would benefit from the Gilmore Winter Workshop scholarships.
INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
The Winter Workshop series will be in its second-annual run this year, and we are committed to this offering as part of our educational programming. Support from RPM Foundation would enable us to go “above and beyond,” however if we do not receive the grant, we still plan to utilize Gilmore and partner resources to provide this program.
RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION SKILLS
The Gilmore Car Museum provides opportunity for more than 350 annual hours of hands-on training and classroom learning, including Gilmore Garage Works, Winter Workshops Series, Winter Lecture Series, Hoods Up! Horsepower Tours, and special featured lectures/presentations. Technical skills and techniques being taught through Gilmore Garage Works programs include: • Classic car and motorcycle restoration • General automotive repair • Engine rebuilding and performance modifications • Sheetmetal fabrication and metal shaping • Chassis fabrication • Suspension & steering • Manual & hydraulic brake systems • Drivetrain, transmissions, and axles • Welding and metal finishing • Woodworking • Automotive electrical & electronic systems • Paint & body • Interior & trim
SUCCESS STORIES
The Winter Workshop series falls under the umbrella of our Garage Works program, fulfilling the goal of providing hands-on technical education in automotive restoration. The goal of Gilmore Garage Works is to expose students to career options in the automotive trades while providing hands-on instruction in automotive restoration technology and developing in them an appreciation for automotive history. Weekly programming includes an overview of careers relevant to skills that are being demonstrated in their current projects. Students leave the Gilmore Garage Works program with a resume, portfolio, and personal letters of recommendation, and benefit from professional connections through program staff and volunteers.
Since its inception in 2009, the Gilmore Garage Works program has served over 100 students. Some students participate for several years. Below are a few highlights of recent participants: In 2017, a high school senior participated in Garage Works and our Great Race team. She went on to complete an associate degree in High Performance Motorsports from the University of Northwestern Ohio and is currently working as a mechanic for Andretti Autosports. In a recent conversation, she shared she wishes she had known of Garage Works earlier so she could have participated for more than one year, and she attributes Garage Works as a contributor toward the doors that have opened for her in her career so far.
Of our current volunteer mentors for Gilmore Garage Works, three are young adults that participated in the program as students and have returned to give back as mentors. These young people work in relevant industries nearby. One of these young volunteers is half of a father/son team that volunteers together. The father recently said, “We are stewards of these vehicles for only one part of history, and it is our responsibility to teach the next generation how to care for them.” Two of our recent graduates are currently working as technicians at local car dealerships. Shops from across the state have contacted our program directors to inquire about Garage Works students that might be looking for jobs or apprenticeships. A current participant, a high school junior, plans to attend McPherson College for their automotive restoration program, and has already received an offer of employment for a restoration shop in Michigan upon completion of the McPherson program. The Winter Workshop series provides additional opportunity for students to experience hands-on education with renowned topical experts.
Relevant Links:
• April 10, 2021: Winter Workshop – Sheet Metal Fabrication with Matt Murray from Iron Trap
Garage • April 17, 2021: Winter Workshop – How to Detail Like a Pro with Ronni Allen from Fresh
Coast Auto Detail • April 24, 2021: Winter Workshop – How to Pain Your Classic, Collector or Project Car with
Tracy Tichenor
