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"More Museum-Access Facts From This Mag Commenters"

4 Comments -

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Blogger Ingrid Mida said...

What an eloquent argument you make. Having worked behind the scenes at a museum, it is evident that money is tight and putting on first class exhibitions takes big bucks. If Toronto museums had more free access, the exhibits might not change that frequently with the resultant revenue drop. It's a tough balance.

February 7, 2011 at 8:35 PM

Blogger Leah Sandals said...

Hi Ingrid,

I hear you. I provide the perspective of someone who doesn't and hasn't worked in a museum. I know people inside do have a very different experience and perspective. I think both are valid.

In the end, what I feel upset about is that I do see museums not just putting up exhibitions and doing research with their funds, but building new facilities, and raising hundreds of millions of dollars for that, but not even a dozen million for regular fair access of citizens to the permanent collection.

I do understand there's a balance needed, but the danger I also perceive is that the higher admission prices get, the less the public feels ownership of the museums, and the less they want to fund them. It has the potential to be a vicious cycle.

February 8, 2011 at 9:19 AM

Anonymous Michael Maranda said...

In response to the money is tight scenario, it is indeed. No question.

The question is, however, whether high admission prices are fulfilling the mandate of the organisations (I would argue not).

Strategically, low (or non-existent) admission fees could go a long way towards not only illustrating, but enhancing, the general populations' support of publicly funded culture. In addition, could this not also increase the lure of corporate donations which are, in essence, a form of advertising? A targeted campaign towards enabling open access, perhaps? Akin to what the Powerplant does in the summer already?

February 8, 2011 at 10:38 AM

Blogger Leah Sandals said...

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your comment.

It gets at another thing that is indeed upsetting about these high admission fees (and/or lack of adequate access programs to offset them) -- that they contravene the mandate of many museums to provide as much public access as possible to the permanent collection.

Good point about the Power Plant program. With the departure of PP director Gregory Burke announced this AM, the gallery is trying to call attention to a potential legacy like this for him. From the press release:

"In 2006, Burke launched All Summer, All Free, a program providing free admission
to tens of thousands of visitors to The Power Plant. This program, combined with other new
public programs, has led to The Power Plant increasing visitation by more than 250% during
Burke’s tenure. "

I don't know how firm a figure "visitation" is or what it means, but yes I love the All Summer All Free program and I think it must remove at least some barriers to access--and make a visit by first timers more palatable, even though admission at the PP is only in the 5-6 dollar range.

On the flipside, I'm not naive enough to think that free admission periods is "enough" outreach. Of course other kinds of outreach are needed to build relationships with the public. But the effect of economic barriers, at the same time, shouldn't be ignored.

February 8, 2011 at 11:10 AM

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