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Sun, 29 Jun 1997 06:08:28 -0400 |
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This has been a rather sad string and seems to virtually be becoming
a tradition.
Indeed it is far easier to raise capital funds for expansion
than to raise operating. Perhaps some musuem shift
of heads in donor discourse--concertedly--is
required. Director's are also rewarded for
successful capital campaigns and always cut back
on operating.
The trend is usually a peak after the opening of a new wing
or facility and then a leveling off.
Even with NO expansion, budgets to be submitted to the board
are most often balanced by backing in attandance figures.
We kid ourselves into good arguments of why an x%
increase is expected. Actually believe it until
half-way into the fiscal-year.
Worst. Normal practice is that during building/expansion significant
percentages of operating salaries can be capitalized. After
the first year, these revert to operating. This, on top
of always "underestimating" personnel needs--boards hate
on-going costs--means downsizing staff, the KEY to
musuem success, which means lower quality programming,
which means a drop in the gate etc.
I have argued with so many clients that focus on staffing is
far more important than 2 more square feet in the restaurant
or gift shop. Alas, program staff "naming opportunites" are rare.
Cheers,
Lois
Lois Brynes
Deep-Time Associates
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