DeAnne:
 
We (Oregon Heritage Commission) get the figures (local visitors, non-local Oregon visitors, non-Oregon visitors) for Oregon from surveys completed by over 100 of the approximately 300 museums in Oregon.  The figures are approximate because not all reporting museums collect the information in that way, and some only provide estimates.  You can find a summary of the 1999 and 2000 figures on our web site at http://www.oregonheritage.org.  If  you need more detailed information, e-mail me at [log in to unmask].
 
Regarding defending tax exempt status, the Coos Bay (Oregon) Art Museum faced a situation last year in which the Coos County Assessor tried to levy tax on the museum because of its role in the tourism industry.  The situation was solved by an amendment to state law that exempted non-profit and public art museums from taxation.  E-mail me at [log in to unmask] and I can put you in contact with people more familiar with the situation.
 
Hope this is of some help.
 
Bill Hanable
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">DeeAnn Dixon
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent: 7/2/2001 9:16:05 AM
Subject: cultural/heritage tourism

Dear Listers.
 
I am a graduate student in Arts Administration with a focus on museums at
the University of Oregon.  I am writing my masters project on the
partnership between government, cultural and heritage organizations, and the
tourism industry.
 
I have two questions that I hope you can help me with or know where I can
get the information.  I know what percentage of tourists go to museums and
historic sites according to the Travel Industry of America.  What I don't
know is how those figures break down among individual museums.   Do you know
the percentage of yearly visitors to your museums who are tourists?
 
Secondly, I'd like to know of any cases where museums had to defend their
tax-exempt status because of cultural and heritage tourism?
 
Please reply to the address below.
 
Thank You in Advance,
Dixon
 
 
--
DeeAnn Dixon [log in to unmask]
 
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William  S. Hanable
Research North
Historical Services for Alaska and the Pacific Northwest
503-749-4428
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