This is a very difficult question for most institutions.   We are still in
the process of hammering out our Facilities Use/Space Rental policy, but I
have gotten the Board to agree to the following:
 
It is the general policy of the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian (“the
Museum”) to make its facilities available for use by outside individuals and
organizations when that use would (a) further the Museum’s mission and (b)
not conflict with the Museum’s regular programmatic activities.  Examples of
such use include speakers on Native American art, history or culture or
related subjects and programs that include tours of the Museum.
 
We then go on to elaborate on more specifics like what can be moved, who is
authorized to do what, how long before an event the organizers can be on
site, etc.
 
One thing that MIGHT be helpful is to remind your administration that
anything that cannot be directly related to your mission will generate a tax
liability in the form of Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT), which is due
when income generated by a not-for-profit (501c3 status or not) is not from
mission-related activity.   
 
Another thing to keep in mind is that participants in events that ignore the
purpose of your museum tend to be less careful of the exhibits.   I want
anyone who is in the museum to remember where they are and that the vitrines
are there to protect the objects not to serve as tables for empty wine
glasses.
 
janice
 
Janice Klein
Director, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
HYPERLINK "mailto:[log in to unmask]"[log in to unmask]
HYPERLINK "http://www.mitchellmuseum.org"www.mitchellmuseum.org
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Tamra Brosseau
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 10:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Facilities rental question



Hello all,

We are a brand new facility that will not be open to the public until next
June.  An issue that I am dealing with is our facility rental program.  The
Center is beautiful with stunning landscaping and was planned to be rented
out occasionally.   My question is how do you handle questionable rental
request that come from within the organization?  We are in a very close
community and I am getting request from everything from weddings to flee
markets.  Our development department insists that everyone be accommodated.
I want to establish and protect our credibility.  Does anyone have ideas on
how to handle this type of issues when it comes from within?  Because we are
new there are no established policies and no experience with renting to the
public.  

 

Thanks,

Tamra

 

 

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