Once again, Ms. Nights, you have hit it right on.  I've been in on budget
discussion and planning at my museum.  There is no flexiblility for salaries
there.  All of the City services are asking for more money and getting less.
  Some of our staff is paid with soft money and work only when it is found.
Patrons don't want to pay higher admissions so we can be paid higher
salaries.  And if we did charge admissions high enough, museums would be
available only to the rich.

I don't have the answer, wish I did.  Maybe I could get rich marketing it.

Jerrie

Jerrie Clarke
Curator of Collections
Valdez Museum
http://www.alaska.net/~vldzmuse/index.html


>From: Indigo Nights <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: MUSEUM-L Digest - 16 Jun 2000 to 17 Jun 2000 (#2000-167)
>Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 13:24:45 -0700
>
>Ok, I'll take the bait and play devil's advocate here
>(and some of you know how devilish I really am . . .
>wink), just how are you going to MAKE them pay?
>
>Are we talking work action?  Are you going to unionize
>and strike?  How are you going to get the NPOs to pay
>you what you believe (not saying I don't agree, but
>that's beside the point) you are worth?
>
>It seems to me, it's the case of One Monkey.  You know
>the adage, "One monkey doesn't stop the show."  If one
>of our monkeys walks, there's another one right behind
>her/him to fill the void, who does want the job, and
>will do it for the money for which you're walking.
>Therein lies the rub.
>
>How are you going to convince the public you need to
>be paid more?  From where will the dollars flow?
>Grants?  Did you know that only 4% of the charitable
>dollars in America go to the Arts?
>
>Are you going to increase admission fees?
>
>Are you going to find some deep pocketed Sugar Daddy
>or  Honey Mama to support the NPO so they can pay you?
>
>In the grand scheme of things, we all know there is a
>right and wrong in life.  It's wrong not to pay you
>what you should be paid.
>
>But life isn't fair.  It just is.  So,unless you're
>going to squeak to someplace other than the wind and
>this list, the status quo will be maintained.
>
>Ye gads, I realize this may sound caustic.  It's not
>intended to be, but where are you going to find
>"justice" when the only ones to whom you are wailing
>is Just Us?
>
>P.S.  Let's not forget that right and wrong are
>subjective.
>
>
>

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