Most important, does the visitor believe s/he receives value for their
money? People don't mind paying money so long as they feel they received a
valuable experience in exchange for their hard earned dollars.
I'll never forget the first museum I worked for. It was a coal mining museum
adjacent to a tour through an actual coal mine (separate entity). Visitors
frequently came to us while waiting for their tour to start. I can't tell
you how many of them came in, looked around and asked me, "Is this museum
worth it?" I certainly felt it was – heck, I thought it was a steal at only
$3.50 for adults. But museums are in a difficult position when it comes to
justifying value. There are so many different museums, different subjects,
different levels of quality, collections, etc. Movies are easy. Chances are
your friends, co-workers, or Siskel and Ebert already told you what to
expect. You go to either confirm or reject their critiques. But most
communities don't have an "exhibit review" section in the newspaper
(unfortunately). Troubled economic times makes families stretch the ratio
between value and money even further. The visitor has a harder time prying
their hard earned money from the wallet for something they're not sure
about.
George Garner
Director of Exhibitions
Northern Indiana Center for History
www.centerforhistory.org // (574) 235-9664
--------
Celebrate Historic Gardens Month in August at the Center for History by
strolling the beautiful grounds surrounding the Oliver mansion.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jay Heuman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 1:17 PM
Subject: Re: Museum Attendance Trends
Hi Sarah,
Lower admissions might attract more people.
Depending upon the museum's location (local, regional and state mindset)
and type (art, history, science, etc.), free admission can sometimes
lead people think "It's not worth seeing if it's free." Trust me . . .
uphill battle for this modern & contemporary art museum in northern
Utah.
Sincerely,
j heuman, Education Curator
Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art
Utah State University
4020 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-4020
t 435.797.0165 | f 435.797.3423
Education costs money, but then so does ignorance.
Sir Charles Moser, b. 1922
> -----Original Message-----
> I have a colleague who steadfastly lays the blame for
> decreasing admission on easy plane travel to "exciting"
> places of luxury or entertainment - the disney worlds, the
> lovely beaches, and other countries. He assiduously pushes
> low entrance fees as a solution - $3 and less - and as a
> result has increasing attendance at his institution where
> nearby larger museums (and therefore with slightly different
> situations) are tanking. I heartily endorse the concept of
> "lower the price and more will come more often". If I could
> find places also testing the theory, I'd do a comparative study.
> I'd also love to do a financial study of museums who moved to
> free admission. SB
> Sarah S. Brophy - bMuse
> Museum Writer
> 570 West Street
> Carlisle, MA 01741
> 978-371-8964
> www.gis.net/~bmuse
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