Certainly the Museums in the Park "Group of 10" does overshadow the other
530 museums in the Chicago area, not only in terms of funding, but in
visibility as well.  Is this a Good Thing?  Is there a way to balance?
Perhaps this would be a good topic for some brave souls to explore at the
2007 AAM Annual Meeting in Chicago...

janice

Janice Klein
Director, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
(one of those 340, but also once an employee of one of the 10)
[log in to unmask]
www.mitchellmuseum.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Jay Heuman
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 11:40 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Chicago Museums & operating ratios


Greetings Dan et al.:

I'm certainly not an apologist for the wealthy in a field of paupers.
[BTW, count me as one of the paupers.]  I'm also not looking to start a
fight, but am asking these questions sincerely.

I'm struck by the oversimplification of comparing compensation from "the
nation's museum," a private university's museums, and the various
Chicago museums.  Is this a case of comparing apples to oranges to
grapes to peaches to _______?  Are you also comparing . . .

	the number of visitors each year?
	the number of public programs offered?
		(how many are free vs. ticketed programs?)
	which museums charge admission vs. which are free?
	what are tax liabilities?
	size/limits of endowments and other donor/grant support?
	local cost of goods/services for museums (and individuals)?
	job descriptions of "key employees, officers, and directors"?
	annual achievements/results of those key employees?
	contributions to employee benefit plans & deferred compensation?
	etc.?

To look at compensation and nothing more seems too simple.

Best wishes, sincerely,

Jay Heuman
Curator of Education
Salt Lake Art Center
 
20 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT  84101
Phone: 801.328.4201 x 121
Fax: 801.322.4323
URL: www.slartcenter.org
 
Salt Lake Art Center:
Celebrating 75 Years!
1931-2006




-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Dan Prives
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 7:26 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Chicago Museums & operating ratios

I have a posting today about the major Chicago museums and the large
amounts that they report for compensation of "key employees, officers,
and directors" on their Form 990 reports.

Feedback is welcome, either to me by email or in the blog comments.

Chicago Musuems Look Topheavy
In seeking new tax support, the Chicago musuems might consider
streamlining their management structures.
http://www.wheremostneeded.org/2006/05/chicago_musuems.html

Regards,
Dan Prives
"Where Most Needed"
Blogging about charities daily at:
http://www.wheremostneeded.org

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