Hi Deb,

With educational programs you need 3rd party funders---grants or "naming
opportun ites."  To make the grant writing/development time worth while, you
really need an annual plan.

Contact me directly if you would like ot discuss.

Lois


Lois Brynes, Principal
    DeepTime Associates
    P.O. Box 58
    Rockport, MA 01966   USA

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voice  (978) 546-8574
fax       (978) 546-6611


> From: Deb Fuller <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 08:00:07 -0700
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Attendance at "fun" events v. "educational" events
>
> Okay, I am now officially a bit frustrated. This year my historic house got
> about 80 kids for the two days we held the Easter Egg Hunt. Relatively easy
> money since the event itself doesn't take much prep (other than stuff candy
> into over 2000 eggs which volunteers do) or effort to actually work it. So I
> know the kids are out there.
>
> We handed out flyers about our Hands on History Day to all of the kids at the
> Egg Hunt, did a mass mailing of 600 postcards for the event, I took flyers to
> a
> Boy Scout event I went to earlier in the year and we had big signs on the
> road.
> I thought attendance would be at least as good as the Egg Hunt. Nope. Only
> about 30 kids showed throughout the day, a lot of them came towards the end of
> the day as well.
>
> Granted, our advertising didn't get put in the papers this time like they
> usually do which was a bit annoying. But you would think that with the flyers
> and mailing, we would have at least 40 or 50 kids.
>
> So how come 80 kids will come out to an Easter Egg hunt on a rainy and cold
> day
> but won't come out on a nice, warm day (okay a bit too warm for this time of
> the year but certainly not stiffling hot) for a Hands on History Day that's a
> cheaper price? Everyone who came had a great time so it's not like our
> activities were lame.
>
> I have to admit that I'm starting to agree with our director about doing
> "educational" programs that take more effort and bring in less money than a
> tea
> or a murder mystery. And we aren't looking for scads of money off of
> educational programs but when we can get 50 reservations for a tea in 36
> hours,
> it's a bit frustrating to do hours and hours of work planning Hands on History
> for a smattering of kids that come through - not to mention sweating all day
> long in a period outfit. (Note, do not wear a Victorian outfit lined in
> acetate
> on a hot day. Big oops there. I should have done Colonial. Oh well.)
>
> Any marketing suggestions? Programming suggestions? Goon squads we can borrow
> to get people through our doors?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Deb
>
>
>
>
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