US museums face financial woes, get more visitors

[marmar]

By BRETT ZONGKER
The Associated Press


WASHINGTON — After the Great Recession swept through, the Delaware Art Museum had laid off half its staff, cut salaries and lost crucial support from corporations. Yet attendance was up last year at the Wilmington museum, reflecting the same trend museums have seen across the country because of declining funding and increased demand from schools and "staycationers."

A report being released Monday by the American Association of Museums shows more than 70 percent of the nation's museums were under financial distress last year because most saw government and corporate funding reduced from an already bad year in 2009. At the same time, half of the nearly 400 museums in the survey reported increased attendance and educational programs. The median admission price remained $7 for adults.

"I think the survey results show a real commitment to the work of museums, that people would rather freeze hiring and lay off staff than reduce the service they're providing to the American people," said Philip Katz, the museum association's assistant director for research.

For many, budgets continued to decline for 2011. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-museums-face-financial-913237.html

[Drale]

1. Here in Chicago

no matter when you go to any of the museums they are always packed.

[marmar]

2. Yep. It's a relatively inexpensive outing.

Definitely cheaper than the movies or an amusement park, and a far richer experience.

[exboyfil]

3. Travelling exhibits are expensive to put on

but they do bring in dollars with added fees. A day to see the Tut exhibit and an IMAX movie on the mummy cache was $43/person. I wonder if they could do more traveling collections. I really enjoyed the Titanic, Da Vinci and the Tut exhibit.

I live a relatively low populated area, and the Chicago museums are five hours from me. Before my daughters got involved in dog agility, we would go to Chicago at least once per year for the museums (staying two nights and getting in Shedd, the Field, Adler, and the Museum of Science and Industry - or at least three of the four in the three days available). I do regret living in something of a cultural wasteland, but we do get to the museums around us - have memberships to the local one.

I would really like to see the Bishop Museum collection in Hawaii tour state side. I think it would be really popular. I was impressed when we were there. I wonder how many people who visit don't even know about this museum. The same could be said for the Smithsonian collections etc. I know it deprives the museums for a time, but it is a wonderful way of bringing the collections to folks who would never see it. I would like to get to the New York museums someday.

[Historic NY]

4. I was at one of historic sites today & it had quite a crowd for an opening weekend.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Similar problems with orchestras.

Detroit and Philly declared bankruptcy.