I really like Elaine Heumann Gurian's article on this matter called
"Free At Last."
Can you guess what I think? ;)
Shana

On Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 10:36 AM, Cass Karl <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> For the record, I do not feel strongly that museums should or should not
> charge admission in general.  I think it needs be decided on a case by case
> basis.  I *do* believe strongly that it should be a carefully considered
> and, if possible, evidence-based decision (not just a "this is what we have
> always done" or "this is what everyone else is doing" issue).  I would like
> to make sure I have considered all aspects before I make a recommendation.
>
> On Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 10:05 AM, Heather McClenahan
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> We do not charge admission for two reason: 1) Your tax dollars at work.
>> About a third of our operating budget is supplied by our county government,
>> and we don't think residents ought to pay us twice. 2) The science museum
>> two blocks away from us is run by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Since it
>> is also a taxpayer-funded institution, it doesn't charge admission. There's
>> no way we could "compete."
>>
>> When it comes to museums, I don't buy the "perceived value of the
>> experience" argument. The Smithsonian doesn't charge admission, and how can
>> you get a better museum experience than that?
>>
>> Heather McClenahan, assistant museum director
>> Los Alamos Historical Society
>> http://www.losalamoshistory.org
>> [log in to unmask]
>> PO Box 43
>> 1050 Bathtub Row
>> Los Alamos, NM 87544
>> 505-662-6272 (office)
>> 505-470-2912 (cell)
>>
>>  Quoting Casandra Karl <[log in to unmask]>:
>>
>>> Hello all!
>>>
>>> I recently had a discussion with the Director of a small local
>>>  historical museum regarding the pros and cons of charging an  admission fee
>>> to museum visitors (she casually asked for my opinion  and it turned into a
>>> *huge* discussion).  She argued that charging  admission would reduce
>>> visitorship and not really generate much  income anyway (I actually agree
>>> with the second point somewhat).  I  argued that charging a small amount
>>> (say $2) would increase the  perceived value of the experience and give the
>>> museum a bargaining  chip by offering "free admission" to members or for
>>> special days or  events.
>>>
>>> Does your museum charge admission?  What factors influenced the  decision
>>> of whether or not to charge admission at your institution?   If you can cite
>>> evidence/resources to back-up your position, that  would be helpful as well.
>>>
>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> -Cass
>>>
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-- 
Shana West

Master of Arts, Museology
University of Washington
[log in to unmask]

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