Earned income is a vital part of our museum that range from money
earned from special events, to selling memorial stepping stones
we use on our walkways.  Store sales, garage sales, book sales
are a few other projects.

At 03:00 PM 5/26/96 -0400, you wrote:
>>>Those on the line, how many of you are associated with "a museum" that is
>>>not state, federal or government supported with paid salary?  benefits?
>>>site or building,etc.?  How many are really totally non-profit and on
>>>their own in the naked jungle of "where's my funding coming from next?"
>>>
>>We are an emerging children's museum that meets all those criteria!
>>
>
>We meet the "museum" criteria as set out by AAM and we are totally private
>non-profit.  I think the answer to where the money comes from is EARNED
>INCOME!  At MMC last fall a presenter said, "just because you're non-profit
>doesn't mean you can't earn money," and that really hit a chord with me
>because we are about 60% earned income and 40% contributed.  Museums CAN
>charge for their services, but I think where the fine line comes is at
>admission:  if the museum is supported by tax dollars for a good part of its
>general operating income, it seems like double-dipping to charge the public
>to come in the door.
>
>I'd like to see a discussion going on this list of what museum
>services/programs people charge for and what it means for the income of the
>institution.  My personal belief is that earned income is not a dirty word
>(or phrase) and that non-governmental museums are in general too shy about
>charging for the valuable educational services they provide.
>
>
>Julia Moore
>Indianapolis Art Center
>
>

John Martinson
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Work: Fort Walla Walla Museum
755 Myra Rd
Walla Walla, WA  99364
(509) 525-7703 (Work)

Let's not forget our past