Dear List members:

I am posting this message for a Tucson colleague, Richard White. Please
reply to him directly. -Thanks.


>Over the last year or so that I have been a member of this List, I've seen
a
>number of discussions about the financial status/support for museums.
Being
>a collections type, I ignored them; after all, I don't have to worry about
>that end of the business.
>
>I've learned today that the Board of Directors of our parent organization
>may be making a move in their May board meeting to close down our Museum.
>One of the arguments being made, by and to a group of people with no museum
>experience, is that the museum isn't "making money" and therefore should be
>shut down.  That we are a non-profit, charitable organization seems beyond
>these folks concern; they all think that our gate receipts, cafeteria and
>gift shop should at least cover our operating budget.
>
>What I need, and quickly, is information from as many different museums as
>possible concerning what percentage of the annual operating budget is
>covered by income.  Any references to published studies, or anecdotal,
>one-museum-at-a-time information would be welcome.
>
>Please reply off-list, so that I don't clog up the list with what may be
>repeat information.  Thank you all in advance!
>
Richard White, Curator
International Wildlife Museum
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