Who Pays for Museum Tickets?

It is complicated, and rarely the public sees what goes on behind the scenes. MIA worked very hard to have free days, starting with Sundays, many years ago. Most museum CEO/ED would like to have no entrance fees, but the reality is, very few can pull it off. We all hope for that angel donor who can provide that generous gift so we can pay our employees, insurance, cost of the building, etc… Sadly, many museum’s lack adequate collection storage, exhibit space, and forget about professional development for employees. Worse, you have great institutions, like the Smithsonian, who really screw it up for the rest of us (last Inspector General Report- great soap opera reading of senior management abuses). Many museums are 501(c)3 nonprofits, and depend on public support to keep their doors open. Some make it up with concession sales, gift shops, and public programming like workshops and tours. Others, receive federal or corporate grants, sponsorships, and have great individual donors. Many people do not think about this when they walk through our halls. We want them to walk away thinking about art, music, and how they can learn from the past in order better understand the future. Not how much we pay to keep the floors clean, the a/c on, or the lights on for that matter.It is a balancing act, and a difficult one. I think many people take it for granted.