>First, given a limited budget, what is of more benefit to the artist and the
>institution, fees or a publication?


If it comes down to that choice, how about asking the artist which s/he
prefers to have?  Most artists in at least mid-career are mature enough to
weigh the benefits of each and make a decision that they are happy with.
With money so tight, I don't want it to come down to a "museum vs. artist"
fight where everyone ends up resenting each other--the artist resents the
museum for not taking him/her seriously as a professional, and the museum
resents the artist for being greedy and temperamental (vowing henceforth not
to exhibit the work of living artists ever again, and the situation continues).

Julia Muney Moore
Director of Exhibitions and Artist Services
Indianapolis Art Center