Unfortunately, Lana's analysis is the most realistic.  However, to delve
deeper into the issue would be to say that museums are competing for
people's increasingly limited "free time" and disposable income.  It's just
a fact of American life.  Post-9-11, security concerns have also weighed
into people's decisions.  It has become abundantly clear from the struggles
of the tourism and travel industry that people are staying closer to home
and certainly are choosing to drive rather than fly far more often than
we've seen in the last 20+ yrs.

Given one free day and, say $40-50 spare (disposable), why should Visitor X
choose to visit your institution over the mall, the amusement park, their
relatives, the movies, the museum or historical society next door that
charges less or has a major event going on, etc, etc.

Thus, it's a challenging time for all of us.  Between the recession,
security and safety concerns, longer work days and weeks, it is an
extremely competitive environment to be in.

In MY opinion, this is why cultural institutions ought to be collaborating
now more than ever before.  It is a known fact that non-profits are the
last to feel a recession and the last to recover from it.  Given the
limited audience, this is not the time to be increasing competition and cut-
throat behavior.  We need to be working together to survive these economic
times and to better serve the public's needs.

In order to draw people in you *must* involve them in who you are and what
you do--they must become part of your identity and, conversely, you an
integral part of their community.

And again, you must think long-term....not panic about the number of people
you can get through the door.  If you do THAT, you fall into the trap of
one-time stunts and gimmicks.  You've failed (much like the "Blockbuster"
model of exhibits failed).  You need to focus on increasing the quality of
your product.

Jeremy T. Chrabascz, Curator of Furnishings
Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites

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