When our museum has unexpected visitors, we give them our group rate (which is more expensive than the school rate but less expensive than the general public rate). We have them fill out a sheet with their contact information so we can contact their institution and let them know that we require reservations. A visitor assistant gives them the safety talk but beyond that their visit is self-guided. We also make a note in our database of groups and schools that visit us that they showed up without a reservation and what action was taken. If it happens repeatedly, they are eventually banned. It has to happen quite a few times for that to happen though.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joshua Steffen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 11:01:57 AM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] [talk] policies on drop-in groups
When we get groups, especially day care providers, showing up unnounced
at our doors. We do not turn them away, but we also do not provide them
with group tours. We greet them, orrient them to the location, go over
the rules for visiting the museum and location of amenities, sending
them on their way. I work in a children's garden and understand first
hand what destruction unguided groups can havoc. If there is enough
people on the floor it is usually enough to monitor and prevent serious
issues.
From: Dan Bartlett <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [talk] policies on drop-in groups
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 9:51 AM
Adrienne:
Let me get this straight. There are people in your museum who want to
turn away drop-in visitors? I'd be pretty sure that if you turn them
away they won't come back. I know I wouldn't.
How about these staff people get training from the educators in how to
do the orientation and tour. That way there would always be someone
there who could do the tour. I'm sure the ed staff can also provide
guidance in how to work with pre-high school aged children. It's not
rocket science.
Or, since business is apparently booming there, perhaps these staff
people should be required to do volunteer work in museums that are
struggling to get enough people through the doors to stay open. Might
improve their persepctive and attitude.
Sorry if this sounds harsh, but this is a perfect example of why many
people still feel that art museums are elitist and exclusionary.
Are you?
Dan
On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 4:42 PM, < [log in to unmask] >
wrote:
Dear Colleagues,
We have had a couple occasions where unscheduled children’s self-guided
groups have dropped in at our museum to visit. This is not often, but
when this happens, we currently have a policy to provide a staff
orientation to the group and if they are under high school age, when
available, an education staff member will give a guided tour to the
group. They do not get the group rate and are required to pay regular
admission.
Normally, we require that all self-guided groups pre-register with our
education department to get the group rate, along with being able to
notify our front desk staff when they plan to visit. We have a policy
that only high school age and up may have self-guided visits.
Some non-education staff members here feel that groups should be not
permitted to visit if they meet both of these points: 1) they are a drop
in group that are under high school age and 2) there is no education
staff member able to provide a tour.
This has made me curious as to other institutional policies with regard
to this.
• What is your policy with “drop-in” groups – are they permitted in your
museum? • If so, do you have age/grade level requirements?
• Are they turned away if they don’t meet your requirements?
Thank you in advance for the information!
Adrienne Romano
___________________________
Adrienne Neszmelyi-Romano
Curator of Education
James A. Michener Art Museum
138 South Pine Street
Doylestown , PA 18901
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