I don't think it is a moral issue.  Perhaps you mean ethical?

It depends on how you are generating the income.  We are constantly being
pushed toward a modified pay-as-you go world, even in government.  If
provisions are made for people without sufficient means to get their
children into our educational program, what's wrong with charging an
admission or registration fee?  They can't get into the movies for free.
 They can't play the arcade games for free.

On the other hand, if we can convince donors to put up the money to
underwrite an educational activity, then we don't need to charge.  The
money must come from somewhere, either government, by spreading the cost
over the total population on a pay as you are able basis, contributions, or
gate fees.


------
Robert Handy
Brazoria County Historical Museum
100 East Cedar
Angleton, Texas  77515
(409) 864-1208
museum_bob
[log in to unmask]
http://www.bchm.org

----------
From:   Tanasak Krabuanrat[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Friday, March 12, 1999 7:08 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: education in museums

Education departments are being designated as discrete cost centres within
the
museum, cost-effective management is needed and in some cases to generate
income is important .

But education department should not be designated a profit center within
the
museum.  There is a moral issue on wheter educational activities should be
used
to generate income.

How do we draw the line on this matter, when is considered appropriate and
moral and when is not?