Mark,

Instead of scrapping your admissions program right off the bat, why don't you
experiment with free days?  A number of museums offer one free day or evening a
month (you could offer one free day a week if you wanted to) and see how it
goes.  This way, you won't completely lose what income you do have from
admissions, while at the same time you acknowledge that you have audience who
simply can't afford to pay.  You might also want to conduct a survey of
visitors, members, key people in your community -- get their take on the
situation before you make any changes.

As a former museum administrator, I hate the thought of cutting back on an
established form of income, no matter how big or small it is -- it might be
difficult to replace (or reinstitute at a future date if you have to).  Besides,
there's that positive psychological factor of having to pay for something
worthwhile.

Good luck.

Anne W. Ackerson
Independent Consultant Specializing in Management, Development & Creative
Services for Cultural Institutions
Olean, New York  14760
716/373-5403