In response:
Granted, but the fact of the matter is that a museum is not a "business" in
the traditional sense of the word, so traditional business practices don't
always apply.
Which practices don't apply? Long range planning? A general business
plan? Cash flow charting? Financial analysis? I think all of these
certainly apply to "museum business."
If museums aren't traditional businesses, than what are they? At last
look, the museums I know of run like traditional businesses--they have
expenses: rent, utilities, salaries, payroll taxes, office supplies,
insurance expense, etc. And these are offset by revenues raised
through admissions, gift shop sales, membership dues, special events,
grants, corporate sponsorship, etc. Businsess is business. Museums are
traditional businesses, just not product based/sales driven
businesses.
Many museums have found that when one puts fiscal responsibility above
responsibility to the audience and the collections, the result can be lost
staff and closed galleries. We should not try to swat flies with
sledgehammers, but try to find a balance (as another museum-Ler has
suggested) between good museums and good businesses.
True, however, as public trusts, fiscal responsibility is public
responsibility--the two are not separate issues.
I am still mystified as to why the AAM will accredit a museum based
soley on its programs and collections care, and completely disregard
how that institution treats its employees. We are told by the AAM (and
I believe that this is true) that museums must be sensitive to the
needs of people and the local community it serves. Still, many museums
justify paying below subsistance wages and no benefits as serving the
community--this simply is not the case because employees of a museum
are part of its community, too.
I applaud those of you who believe that change can come about. True,
it will take time, but it is in the best interest of all who have
chosen this career path to continue to dialog about this issue and
also to look at ways to problem solve. Many of the ideas expressed in
this ongoing dialog have been really good, sound ideas.
I would be most interested in hearing from AAM as to just why they are
silent on this issue? Perhaps an AAM forum/session could help
facilitate problem solving and idea sharing on this ongoing concern?
John Handley
San Francisco
American Academy of Ophthalmology
http://www.eyenet.org
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