At 11:30 PM 3/9/97 GMT, you wrote:

...>However, I rarely read about using bonds or other debt financing to
>construct or expand museums.  Why is that?  I also get the feeling that
>museums could not survive without subsidies of some sort, be it from
>foundations or the government.  Are there any museums that has enough
>visitorship to cover all of its costs from admissions, gift shop sales and
>other operating income?  Will the public pay the admissions fees neccesary
>to cover a museum's operating costs?
...
I have this notion that if you build a museum that is appealing and market
it sufficiently
>that you should be able to operate at a profit. (or should I say
>"surplus")
>
>Rick Rowlands
>
"If you build it they will come" does not work with museums. You are correct
in that museums do not survive without subsidies of some sort (any
exceptions out there?), usually a wide variety of sources.  (This is out in
the press, so i feel I can mention it) We are working through bond debt used
in building our facility -- we are close to out of the hole, but not without
major troubles. The problem as I see it (usual disclaimers on all of this)
is that if you depend on donations or some other subsidy, if you go into
debt, the only way out is to increase these donations, and, you fund raisers
can add to this, but I think we all know that money doesn't just flow in the
door.

Anthony E. Kerwin
Curator of Exhibits (disclaimer: you notice that this title doesn't say
anything about fund raising)
Pacific Northwest Museum of Natural History
1500 E. Main St.
Ashland, OR 97520

Phone: 541-488-1084             FAX: 541-482-1115