I've mentioned this before, but with the recent discussion about fairness
to political candidates in a museum setting, I thought I'd pass this along.


Because my Museum is a state-funded institution using public dollars, the
exterior of the Museum is public space, which means that we have no control
relating to the use of the Museum's exterior space for promotional
purposes.

Several companies have used the exterior space (fewer use the interior, for
which we charge) for televisioon and print commercials, photographs in
catalogues, etc.

At least one gubernatorial candidate has used the exterior of the Museum to
support his environmental position in a television commercial. Even if this
gives the appearance that the Museum supports the candidate, we cannot
prevent its use in that way.

And by the way, if I know in advance that someone is going to use the
exterior, I always urge the entity to contribute some cash to the Museum.
Sometimes they do. Although it is rare, the political candidates who have
filmed commercials outside the Museum have not informed me in advance.

John Arnold
Public Information Officer
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Albuquerque
[log in to unmask]

"Sometimes the light's all shining on me. Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been."