Dear list: I posted this initially as a "questionnaire for curators," but all responses pertaining to this topic are appreciated. I am researching the question of whether museum directors recruited from the business world are changing the role of the curator, or having a potentially negative effect on museums in general. I already been criticized offlist for asking leading questions and bias in the survey (below) and in my approach, but in the article I am writing I will present the positive aspects of museum directors who are "professional managers" rather than art historians, or experts in the subject specialization of the musuem. Please let me hear from those of you who have an opinion on this, whether you complete the survey or not. Thank you. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CURATORS Name: Name of Institution: Number of years as curator/collections manager: Responsibilities: Are any of your responsibilities shared by the Executive Director or President? What is his or her background? How long has he/she been Director? What is your background? Who is responsible for proposing acquisitions? Who has responsibility for selecting exhibits? Does the Director "push" exhibits or acquisitions on you? If yes, has this been a problem for you? Explain. Have you ever encountered hostility by an administration that is unsympathetic to your professional objectives or standards for collection management? Do you have an annual budget for which you are solely responsible? Does your museum solicit corporate sponsorships? If yes, what percent of your exhibits are corporately sponsored? How has this influenced the kind of exhibits you do? Have you or has your Director ever made an acquisition or done an exhibit to please a Trustee? Do you have an Acquisitions/Collection Management Committee? If yes, briefly describe their roles. Describe the characteristics, background and management skills which you believe make for a good museum Director. Have you ever had a really significant (in your estimation) exhibit rejected or cancelled on the grounds that it would not be a big enough draw? Or because the Director/Board could not relate to it? Please explain: Have you ever failed to raise internal support for an acquisition because the Director/ Committee thought it too eclectic or obscure? If yes, explain: Has your museum consciously sought to make its exhibits more entertaining? If yes, how so? Do you feel that your museum has dumbed-down or compromised exhibit content to appeal to broader audiences? Compare this present administration with previous administrations. How have the policies or personalities various directors influenced the content of the collection and type of exhibits at your institution? Are you involved in fundraising for the collection? Does your institution have a collection management or development policy? If yes, who instigated it? Do you attend professional conferences on a regular basis? Does the director? How has your role changed (if at all) over the last 10 years? How does the educational level/background of your Director, Board, and Committee Members effect your ability to do your job? Do you feel that further formal education would be an asset to you in your current position? If no, explain. Additional Comments: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO FILL OUT THIS QUESTIONNAIRE! Please respond by email to [log in to unmask] or mail to my home address: Emily Nedell, 1917 Banks, Houston, TX 77098. You can reach me if you have any questions about this at my home number, (713) 526-4710, or my work number (713) 522-4652.