Dear Museum Colleagues:
I am asking for your help and insight in explaining the value our work to
some people less directly involved.  Our CEO has asked me to help prepare a
memo for some of our trustees, as I will explain.

Our institution includes both a research library/archive and a museum
(including exhibits, museum education programs serving thousands --
primarily school students, with some adults --each year, and public programs
(films, lectures, ethnic music or other cultural programs.)

I am to prepare a brief memo on the value of the museum-related programs
[museum exhibits and collections, museum education, public programs]  to the
institution and community.  Of course, as the word "value" can also hint at,
there is also a budget/financial piece of this question.  Some program areas
bring in money (museum education in particular, which also brings in
something like 85% of our audience) although it may not cover the staff and
other direct program costs.  My sense in general is that in small and medium
museums and institutions programs/admissions fees don't cover expenses.

Some trustees are connected to the museum/program area.  Some are relatively
new and don't have strong feelings that I know of.  And a few trustees are
attracted to the model of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (formerly a
museum and research library/archive) which a couple of years ago closed its
museum and redefined itself solely as a research library/archive,
transferred its thousands of artifacts to another museum, and decided to
(theoretically) limit "exhibits" to display of selected documents or
materials about the HSP itself.

And I need to have this memo in early next week!   Your thoughts on
explaining these issues to those with a less direct connection will be
helpful.

Thanks!

Robert Tabak
Director of Programs
Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies

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