Open Forum

We are a small historic house museum. We have always charged admission, but this year, the board wants to go to a "suggested donation" instead. Has anyone here tried that approach and tracked income changes? If we word the sign' free admission, suggested donation $5,' as one member wants, do people see the free and just walk through? Thanks! Sharon Bell, Kent-Delord House Museum, Plattsburgh NY

Sent from my iPhone

We made that change a few years ago, but for us, it was from free to suggested admission.  I think that in this day and age, most people expect to have to pay something . . . except around here, where some of our competition (Smithsonian, just up the street) is free.  If I'm at the desk, and they're clearly wondering, I'll say something like "we have a suggested admission of $2, but feel free to make it $200, if you wish."  That makes them smile as they are gently reminded that they need to pay something.

One other wrinkle for us . . . have to be careful to call it "admission" and not "donation," since those are two separate pots of money.  Donations we get to keep, in a "revolving" city account that carries over from one FY to the next; admission fees for various things go into general revenue, which goes back to City Hall.

We're also charging for lectures now, too, which used to always be free here . . . I can count on one hand the number of good lecturers I've wanted to use in recent years who don't charge anything, and we're not budgeted for public programs, so I recover those lecture costs by charging.  Usually a pretty nominal $5.

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James Mackay
Director
The Lyceum
Alexandria VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-24-2015 09:54 AM
From: Sharon Bell
Subject: Admission charge vs donation

We are a small historic house museum. We have always charged admission, but this year, the board wants to go to a "suggested donation" instead. Has anyone here tried that approach and tracked income changes? If we word the sign' free admission, suggested donation $5,' as one member wants, do people see the free and just walk through? Thanks! Sharon Bell, Kent-Delord House Museum, Plattsburgh NY

Sent from my iPhone

If you eliminate the entry fee, I think that it is very important to ask for a donation and do not feel bad or shy about it. Let visitors know that the organization is mostly volunteer, there is no ongoing Federal/State/Local funding, if that is the case and let them know the good work you are doing in the community like education, research, and preservation.  I know it can be very hard when organizations are connected/partnered with the local government where you may be required to provide Free entry. It can place the organization in a tough position.

I have seen where a museum can sometimes be undervalued by visitors and many people do walk through without giving when entry is noted as Free. 

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
St. Johns FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-24-2015 09:54 AM
From: Sharon Bell
Subject: Admission charge vs donation

We are a small historic house museum. We have always charged admission, but this year, the board wants to go to a "suggested donation" instead. Has anyone here tried that approach and tracked income changes? If we word the sign' free admission, suggested donation $5,' as one member wants, do people see the free and just walk through? Thanks! Sharon Bell, Kent-Delord House Museum, Plattsburgh NY

Sent from my iPhone

We do charge admission and are actually raising it again soon, however, I know the USS Constitution Museum in Boston has had great success in changing admission to donation, eliminating entry lines and supposedly increasing their revenue. They have donation boxes scattered throughout the museum, often right next to their most compelling exhibits. That being said, they are on the Freedom Trail, which is a major school field trip destination, they are next to the Constitution Ship and their foot traffic is  HUGE.  Many people visit them, but they only visit once or twice in a lifetime so they make the donation, our visitors come back all the time to see changing exhibits and do programs and I do believe some of them would walk in for free on a weekly basis and occasionally throw us fifty cents. I'd be very curious to see what happens at your museum.

------------------------------
Mary McDonald
Audience Engagement Specialist
Wenham Museum
Wenham MA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-24-2015 09:54 AM
From: Sharon Bell
Subject: Admission charge vs donation

We are a small historic house museum. We have always charged admission, but this year, the board wants to go to a "suggested donation" instead. Has anyone here tried that approach and tracked income changes? If we word the sign' free admission, suggested donation $5,' as one member wants, do people see the free and just walk through? Thanks! Sharon Bell, Kent-Delord House Museum, Plattsburgh NY

Sent from my iPhone

Three years ago we went from admission to suggested donation and it has been very successful. There was huge community support for it and we saw people come in who had never visited before. Some people may not pay anything, some may leave $2 and some $50. We received more in donations then we made from admissions. We also have had an admission sponsor for the last three years. The first was for $10k for the year but we are not up to $15k. So we went from about $7k in admissions to about $25k in donations and sponsorships. And it means that everyone, regardless of financial means, is able to visit our art museum. ------------------------------ Virginia Eichhorn Director & Chief Curator Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art Owen Sound ON ------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 04-25-2015 06:04 PM From: Mary McDonald Subject: Admission charge vs donation We do charge admission and are actually raising it again soon, however, I know the USS Constitution Museum in Boston has had great success in changing admission to donation, eliminating entry lines and supposedly increasing their revenue. They have donation boxes scattered throughout the museum, often right next to their most compelling exhibits. That being said, they are on the Freedom Trail, which is a major school field trip destination, they are next to the Constitution Ship and their foot traffic is HUGE. Many people visit them, but they only visit once or twice in a lifetime so they make the donation, our visitors come back all the time to see changing exhibits and do programs and I do believe some of them would walk in for free on a weekly basis and occasionally throw us fifty cents. I'd be very curious to see what happens at your museum. ------------------------------ Mary McDonald Audience Engagement Specialist Wenham Museum Wenham MA ------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 04-24-2015 09:54 AM From: Sharon Bell Subject: Admission charge vs donation We are a small historic house museum. We have always charged admission, but this year, the board wants to go to a "suggested donation" instead. Has anyone here tried that approach and tracked income changes? If we word the sign' free admission, suggested donation $5,' as one member wants, do people see the free and just walk through? Thanks! Sharon Bell, Kent-Delord House Museum, Plattsburgh NY Sent from my iPhone

That is just what you would hope for! Congratulations. I would love to be able to do that someday.

------------------------------
Mary McDonald
Audience Engagement Specialist
Wenham Museum
Wenham MA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2015 11:11 AM
From: Virginia Eichhorn
Subject: Admission charge vs donation


Three years ago we went from admission to suggested donation and it has been very successful. There was huge community support for it and we saw people come in who had never visited before. Some people may not pay anything, some may leave $2 and some $50. We received more in donations then we made from admissions. We also have had an admission sponsor for the last three years. The first was for $10k for the year but we are not up to $15k. So we went from about $7k in admissions to about $25k in donations and sponsorships. And it means that everyone, regardless of financial means, is able to visit our art museum.
------------------------------
Virginia Eichhorn
Director & Chief Curator
Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art
Owen Sound ON
------------------------------

I'm curious - has moving to free admission affected your membership base? 

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Kim Giewont
Membership Manager
Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Memphis TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2015 06:38 AM
From: Mary McDonald
Subject: Admission charge vs donation

That is just what you would hope for! Congratulations. I would love to be able to do that someday.

------------------------------
Mary McDonald
Audience Engagement Specialist
Wenham Museum
Wenham MA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2015 11:11 AM
From: Virginia Eichhorn
Subject: Admission charge vs donation


Three years ago we went from admission to suggested donation and it has been very successful. There was huge community support for it and we saw people come in who had never visited before. Some people may not pay anything, some may leave $2 and some $50. We received more in donations then we made from admissions. We also have had an admission sponsor for the last three years. The first was for $10k for the year but we are not up to $15k. So we went from about $7k in admissions to about $25k in donations and sponsorships. And it means that everyone, regardless of financial means, is able to visit our art museum.
------------------------------
Virginia Eichhorn
Director & Chief Curator
Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art
Owen Sound ON
------------------------------

Kim you asked how changing to free admission affected Membership. I think one of the best case studies sbout 5 to 7 years ago was at the Baltimore Museum of Art. They went to free admission to make the Museum snd Art more accessible to all. They were offered support by the city and county of Baltimore to replace revenue lost from admissions. I do not know the exact numbers but at be point I think they said membership dropped by about half - like from 11000 or 14000 to about 6000 or 7000. So if you think about making such a move make sure you also have a plan for replacing membership revenue as well as admission revenue. I think they still have leadership in place that was there through the whole process. So contact Sally Rupert for the accurate first person experience. Hope that helps. ------------------------------ Dana Hines President & CEO Membership Consultants Saint Louis MO ------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 04-27-2015 10:19 AM From: Kim Giewont Subject: Admission charge vs donation I'm curious - has moving to free admission affected your membership base? ------------------------------ Kim Giewont Membership Manager Dixon Gallery and Gardens Memphis TN ------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 04-27-2015 06:38 AM From: Mary McDonald Subject: Admission charge vs donation That is just what you would hope for! Congratulations. I would love to be able to do that someday. ------------------------------ Mary McDonald Audience Engagement Specialist Wenham Museum Wenham MA ------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 04-26-2015 11:11 AM From: Virginia Eichhorn Subject: Admission charge vs donation Three years ago we went from admission to suggested donation and it has been very successful. There was huge community support for it and we saw people come in who had never visited before. Some people may not pay anything, some may leave $2 and some $50. We received more in donations then we made from admissions. We also have had an admission sponsor for the last three years. The first was for $10k for the year but we are not up to $15k. So we went from about $7k in admissions to about $25k in donations and sponsorships. And it means that everyone, regardless of financial means, is able to visit our art museum. ------------------------------ Virginia Eichhorn Director & Chief Curator Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art Owen Sound ON ------------------------------

Thanks Mary! :-)  We have indeed been very pleased at the response.

------------------------------
Virginia Eichhorn
Director & Chief Curator
Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art
Owen Sound ON
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2015 06:38 AM
From: Mary McDonald
Subject: Admission charge vs donation

That is just what you would hope for! Congratulations. I would love to be able to do that someday.

------------------------------
Mary McDonald
Audience Engagement Specialist
Wenham Museum
Wenham MA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2015 11:11 AM
From: Virginia Eichhorn
Subject: Admission charge vs donation


Three years ago we went from admission to suggested donation and it has been very successful. There was huge community support for it and we saw people come in who had never visited before. Some people may not pay anything, some may leave $2 and some $50. We received more in donations then we made from admissions. We also have had an admission sponsor for the last three years. The first was for $10k for the year but we are not up to $15k. So we went from about $7k in admissions to about $25k in donations and sponsorships. And it means that everyone, regardless of financial means, is able to visit our art museum.
------------------------------
Virginia Eichhorn
Director & Chief Curator
Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art
Owen Sound ON
------------------------------

How many % of tourists donated ?

------------------------------
Snehal Shah
Action Data Systems, LLC
Barrington RI
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2015 11:11 AM
From: Virginia Eichhorn
Subject: Admission charge vs donation


Three years ago we went from admission to suggested donation and it has been very successful. There was huge community support for it and we saw people come in who had never visited before. Some people may not pay anything, some may leave $2 and some $50. We received more in donations then we made from admissions. We also have had an admission sponsor for the last three years. The first was for $10k for the year but we are not up to $15k. So we went from about $7k in admissions to about $25k in donations and sponsorships. And it means that everyone, regardless of financial means, is able to visit our art museum.
------------------------------
Virginia Eichhorn
Director & Chief Curator
Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art
Owen Sound ON
------------------------------

One thing that we have available is a Resident pass for those living in the county. They pay one admission and get a pass for the entire year. As far as donations, people do respond to requests for donation and tend to be generous.

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
St. Johns FL
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2015 11:11 AM
From: Virginia Eichhorn
Subject: Admission charge vs donation


Three years ago we went from admission to suggested donation and it has been very successful. There was huge community support for it and we saw people come in who had never visited before. Some people may not pay anything, some may leave $2 and some $50. We received more in donations then we made from admissions. We also have had an admission sponsor for the last three years. The first was for $10k for the year but we are not up to $15k. So we went from about $7k in admissions to about $25k in donations and sponsorships. And it means that everyone, regardless of financial means, is able to visit our art museum.
------------------------------
Virginia Eichhorn
Director & Chief Curator
Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art
Owen Sound ON
------------------------------

How many % of tourists give donations and how much is the avg. donation?

------------------------------
Jim Gordon
DC
The Art Museum
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2015 11:11 AM
From: Virginia Eichhorn
Subject: Admission charge vs donation


Three years ago we went from admission to suggested donation and it has been very successful. There was huge community support for it and we saw people come in who had never visited before. Some people may not pay anything, some may leave $2 and some $50. We received more in donations then we made from admissions. We also have had an admission sponsor for the last three years. The first was for $10k for the year but we are not up to $15k. So we went from about $7k in admissions to about $25k in donations and sponsorships. And it means that everyone, regardless of financial means, is able to visit our art museum.
------------------------------
Virginia Eichhorn
Director & Chief Curator
Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery and Museum of Fine Art
Owen Sound ON
------------------------------

If I am not mistaken, the USS Constitution is still on the Navy roles as an active vessel and supported as such. They are not as dependent on gate as us private museums who rely on the admission for whatever small percentage of our operating expenses are derived from them. It also creates a valuation of or institution. I know of few museums in the NY Metro area that do not have a set admission schedule. The bottom Line is you have to do what you feel is right for your organization and community. ------------------------------ Lawrence Starr Museum Manager American Airpower Museum Farmingdale NY ------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 04-25-2015 06:04 PM From: Mary McDonald Subject: Admission charge vs donation We do charge admission and are actually raising it again soon, however, I know the USS Constitution Museum in Boston has had great success in changing admission to donation, eliminating entry lines and supposedly increasing their revenue. They have donation boxes scattered throughout the museum, often right next to their most compelling exhibits. That being said, they are on the Freedom Trail, which is a major school field trip destination, they are next to the Constitution Ship and their foot traffic is HUGE. Many people visit them, but they only visit once or twice in a lifetime so they make the donation, our visitors come back all the time to see changing exhibits and do programs and I do believe some of them would walk in for free on a weekly basis and occasionally throw us fifty cents. I'd be very curious to see what happens at your museum. ------------------------------ Mary McDonald Audience Engagement Specialist Wenham Museum Wenham MA ------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 04-24-2015 09:54 AM From: Sharon Bell Subject: Admission charge vs donation We are a small historic house museum. We have always charged admission, but this year, the board wants to go to a "suggested donation" instead. Has anyone here tried that approach and tracked income changes? If we word the sign' free admission, suggested donation $5,' as one member wants, do people see the free and just walk through? Thanks! Sharon Bell, Kent-Delord House Museum, Plattsburgh NY Sent from my iPhone

Lawrence,

Having served as Registrar at the USS Constitution Museum a long time ago (when they still charged admission), I can tell you that while the ship is still a commissioned Naval vessel and the Museum is certainly advantaged by its location in the Charlestown Navy Yard and on the Freedom Trail, it is a private non-profit not primarily funded by the Navy (maybe not at all, I am not familiar with current funding there).  

The Museum has always faced the challenge that it has no control over its chief artifact.  In fact, tours of the ship have been free for decades, so when the Museum charged admission, many visitors to the ship never came through the Museum's doors.

It is the Museum's location rather than its relationship to the Navy that allows it to succeed without an admission fee.  The same factor was a disadvantage to the Museum when admission was charged. 

That said, it is an unusual (maybe unique) situation and you are absolutely correct that every institution must look at its environment before deciding whether or not to charge admission.

------------------------------
Doug Kendall PhD
Consultant
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-04-2015 05:37 PM
From: Lawrence Starr
Subject: Admission charge vs donation


If I am not mistaken, the USS Constitution is still on the Navy roles as an active vessel and supported as such. They are not as dependent on gate as us private museums who rely on the admission for whatever small percentage of our operating expenses are derived from them. It also creates a valuation of or institution. I know of few museums in the NY Metro area that do not have a set admission schedule. The bottom
Line is you have to do what you feel is right for your organization and community.
------------------------------
Lawrence Starr
Museum Manager
American Airpower Museum
Farmingdale NY
------------------------------

The McConnell Mansion in Moscow, ID used to charge admission (before my time) but they did away with it since they got many reports that the admission fee was a barrier to entry for many people.  In an effort to better serve our community we have done away with admission charges.  That being said we only have one donation box, which sits right next to our guest sign in book.  I ask visitors to sign the guest book, so that we have accurate visitor numbers.  In signing the guest book they look directly at the donation jar, which entices many of them to donate to our cause. 

------------------------------
Zachary Wnek
Museum Curator
Latah County Historical Society
Moscow ID
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-24-2015 09:54 AM
From: Sharon Bell
Subject: Admission charge vs donation

We are a small historic house museum. We have always charged admission, but this year, the board wants to go to a "suggested donation" instead. Has anyone here tried that approach and tracked income changes? If we word the sign' free admission, suggested donation $5,' as one member wants, do people see the free and just walk through? Thanks! Sharon Bell, Kent-Delord House Museum, Plattsburgh NY

Sent from my iPhone

When changing admission policy, keep in mind that attendance may be affected. You could generate the same or greater revenue from admissions and memberships, but with fewer visitors, or vice versa. This could impact other revenue sources such as the museum store and cafe.

------------------------------
JO ANNE MILLER
Museum Store Manager
Vero Beach Museum of Art
VERO BEACH FL
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-24-2015 09:54 AM
From: Sharon Bell
Subject: Admission charge vs donation

We are a small historic house museum. We have always charged admission, but this year, the board wants to go to a "suggested donation" instead. Has anyone here tried that approach and tracked income changes? If we word the sign' free admission, suggested donation $5,' as one member wants, do people see the free and just walk through? Thanks! Sharon Bell, Kent-Delord House Museum, Plattsburgh NY

Sent from my iPhone