Hi Indigo, Patrick et al.: If the land and property on display are a private non-profit (i.e., the US military sold or gave the land over), then they are in a position to host whatever events they want to hold - including a presidential visit and speech. In Colorado, a bastion of Republican politics, the risk of offending Democrats is unlikely to dissuade. OTOH, if the land and property on display in the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum - on Lowry Air Force Base - belongs to the US military, then George Bush, President and Commander in Chief, should be welcome with open arms to give a speech or dance a jig there. Just because the rules allow it, does not make it ethical. Of course, if you were director, curator, or some other high-placed employee of that museum, would you protest a Presidential visit? It's good publicity AND it means you get to keep your job! Patrick - Re: Fundraisers Few fit the mission of museums other than providing funds to remain open . . . which is vital to the mission of museums. A fashion show is as good a fundraiser as anything, if it does not compromise the safety of the collection/facility or the quality of the educational resources and academic scholarship. (One of Joslyn Art Museum's affiliate groups holds a fashion show, "The Art of Fashion," every November - off site, of course. Quite a successful affair.) Sincerely, Jay Heuman Visitor & Volunteer Services Coordinator Joslyn Art Museum 2200 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68102 342-3300 (telephone) 342-2376 (fax) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Fine art is that in which the hand, the head and the heart go together." John Ruskin, 1819-1900 The Two Paths. Lecture ii. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > -----Original Message----- > From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > On Behalf Of P Boylan > Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002 8:57 am > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Should Museums Lend Themselves to Political Rallies? > > Indigo: > > I'm sure you are right on the question of principle, but what is the > "Wings over the Rockies" Museum where this happened? It > sounds like an Air Force Museum to me, which case would things > be different? > > Patrick > > P.S. If we want to look at doubtfully appropriate uses, the London > Natural History Museum has been the official venue of London > Fashion Week and many of its shows for the past decade or so - > as I understand it purely as a money-raising venture. > > P.P.S. Perhaps there IS a natural history element after all, > since the models do parade on CAT-walks!! ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).