First of all, the use of the word "complaining" is quite strong. They are
merely comments of people's opinions. I assume most people on this list are
very well educated and it is insulting to take this issue this far.

I love museums and I have a full understanding of what "non-profit" means.
However, what needs to be addressed is that if you want to attract the
public to museums, charging expensive prices will not bring them in. If you
want to bring in scholarly, well to do individuals, then charge higher
prices. All this will do is serve the purpose of alienating a large and
important part of society.

The general public doesn't expect to get in for free, in fact they expect to
be admitted to a museum at a reasonable price. The pubic deserves to be
rewarded when visiting a museum. I realize museums can't survive without a
certain amount of profit, but let's be realistic. Museums would cease to
exist without public support. What purpose would they serve without
visitors? Visitors should leave satisfied and happy, and pass on that
happiness to others who will then visit the museum.

So, when someone comments about the high prices of extra admission to
exhibits, it should be taken as information and not as a threat or judgment.

Fiona Adams

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Lori Allen
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 11:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Defining "non-profit: was Re: Admission fees for special
exhibits


Bravo Diane and Audra!

The term "not for profit" refers to the fact that profits or dividends are
not paid to the board of directors, shareholders or owners, etc.  Further,
if an organization is able to generate a surplus, those funds are not taxed
(providing they meet UBIT rules).  In no way are non-profit organizations
(NPO's) prevented from making a profit.  In fact, just like a for-profit,
they must have funds equal to or in excess of expenses to continue
operating.  In other words, NPO's don't operate in another dimension that
is somehow exempt from economic law.

What really bothers me about the comments is the fact the mention was made
of the institution being non profit, as if the services rendered were less
valuable due to the organization's tax status.  Would the added admission
be acceptable if the museum was operated as an amusement park? There you
pay admission price plus concert ticket price, even if you don't plan on
riding the rides or seeing the attractions.  Why? Because you have access -
same issue as museums.  You have access to the regular collection, even if
you say you are only visiting the special exhibit.  Like much of the rest
of life, this issue is access and availability.

I think the issue is that the public has been conditioned to think that
museums should be free: i.e..  that some "rich person" pays for it or the
government or that "it is supported by my taxes so I don't have to pay
again".  The reality is that there is no such thing as a free ride.  You
want to view the collection, you have to pay for that privilege; you want
to see the special show, that cost extra.  The museum doesn't "owe" its
visitors any more than what a for-profit business owes its customers:  you
get what you pay for.  And blockbuster shows are a myth - they don't make
big money.

Complaining to a list full of people who deal with chronic fiscal shortages
about having to pay to enjoy the fruits of their labor is not too smart.
Frankly, I like my paycheck and if you have to pay extra to see the show of
your choice to ensure that it continues, I am completely OK with that.  I
don't work for free and you don't get to play for free either.


Lori Allen
Graduate Student, History and Museum Studies
University of Missouri - St. Louis

"Well behaved women rarely make history."
                                  - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, Historian

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Diane Gutenkauf
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 12:59 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Defining "non-profit: was Re: Admission fees for special
exhibits


First of all, charging a separate admission fee to offset the costs of
bringing in a traveling exhibition is not only common, it is a reasonable
way of raising revenue for a museum. (IMHO, of course) Welcome to the
modern world.

Second of all, let's define "Non-Profit." The term has no relationship to
whether or not the institution can earn revenue in excess of expenses. It
is specifically related to the federally defined tax status of the museum.

Really.

Any non-profit institution that does not attempt to raise more money
than it spends is not only in danger of collapsing in on itself, it is
acting in a fiscally irresponsible manner.

Diane "Just call me Ms. Fiscal Responsibility" Gutenkauf

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
>Behalf Of Aikens, Jason
>Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 9:05 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Admission fees for special exhibits
>
>
>To All:
>
>Recently I visited a non-profit museum which was currently having a
special
>exhibit.  I would not like to mention the specific name of the museum or
the
>exhibit.  The museum had a regular admission price of around $8 and
charged
>an additional $8 to see their new special exhibit.  The museum also
required
>that if anyone wanted to see the special exhibit, they must also pay for
>regular admission to the museum.  I was offended by the price gauging of
>this institution.
>
>I was wondering if it anyone out there had any other similar experiences
>like this at another non-profit museum.  Is it common for museums to
charge
>additional fees to see special exhibits?  I can understand a dollar or two
>but nearly $8 seems quite high and requiring visitors to pay for regular
>admission as well as special exhibit fees seems a bit much don't you
think?
>Isn't this a violation of federal non-profit standards?
>
>Jason Aikens

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