Open Forum

I just returned from San Francisco where I was curious (furious) to find out that they no longer accept AAM members at SFMOMA. I asked the membership desk why and they said they stopped accepting it 18months ago.  I left in disgust pledging never to return. My question is, why does SFMOMA still accept awards from this institution if they don't value our membership?  Why should we be good enough for them when theyndo nothing for us?
I think their membership should be revoked. 

Michael Kramer
New York, NY

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Michael Kramer
Development Officer
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts - St. Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure NY
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I'm sorry that you had such a disappointing visit. Free/discounted admission has never been a direct benefit of AAM membership; it's always been a voluntary decision made by the museum. We typically recommend that people check at the admissions desk of the museum they'd like to visit. Museum admissions policies change from time to time and the museum will always have the most current information.

We appreciate that so many museums generously offer free or discounted admissions as a professional courtesy to their colleagues in the field, however, it is completely at the museum's discretion.

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Marjie George
Director, Member Services
American Alliance of Museums
Arlington VA
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I had the same reaction at the Museum of Northern Arizona, where the admissions desk was directly under their Accreditation certificate! In general, I find it far easier to use my ICOM card in the rest of the world than my AAM card in the U.S. Here it is too often a hassle. But thank you to those museums that are gracious and efficient (and often let in my companion too!)

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Laura Roberts
Principal
Roberts Consulting
Cambridge MA
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I've encountered situations where the admissions staff seemingly didn't know about the discounted or free admission, that or policies changed and their website wasn't updated.  One time I asked for free admission and I was told by the cashier that they didn't offer it.  When I went back and checked later, free admission for AAM members was listed on their website.

It doesn't really bother me all that much.  Worst case scenario, you're financially supporting the work of fellow professionals.  If they're willing to let me in for free, then great!  If not, that's OK too.

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Geoffrey Woodcox
Assistant Curator of Collections
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Bismarck ND
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2018 09:16 AM
From: Laura Roberts
Subject: SFMOMA non-member

I had the same reaction at the Museum of Northern Arizona, where the admissions desk was directly under their Accreditation certificate! In general, I find it far easier to use my ICOM card in the rest of the world than my AAM card in the U.S. Here it is too often a hassle. But thank you to those museums that are gracious and efficient (and often let in my companion too!)

But I also think that professional courtesy  shields us from the reality faced by our visitors. When you were asked to actually pay $25, you got a sense of how the visiting public has to do a quick cost benefit  analysis under the watchful eye of a museum staff member and a line of folks behind you.

Laura Roberts, Cambridge MA

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Laura Roberts
Principal
Roberts Consulting
Cambridge MA
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Free admission is a nice benefit, but I always pay admission to museums whenever I travel (or visit locally) as a show of solidarity and support for the institution I'm patronizing.  If I'm willing to pay for a nice meal, sporting event, theatre or movies tickets, etc., then I definitely feel I should be willing to pay for a museum experience.  It's a way of "voting" with my dollars to show what I value.  Plus I haven't been to any museum that couldn't use the revenue.

Just trying to re-frame the experience in those cases where one might have to pay unexpectedly.  I certainly think it's appropriate to use the AAM reciprocity agreement for free admission if that's what you want to do.

My 2 cents.

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Rena Lawrence
Assistant Historic Site Supervisor
Log Cabin Village
Fort Worth TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2018 09:33 AM
From: Geoffrey Woodcox
Subject: SFMOMA non-member

I've encountered situations where the admissions staff seemingly didn't know about the discounted or free admission, that or policies changed and their website wasn't updated.  One time I asked for free admission and I was told by the cashier that they didn't offer it.  When I went back and checked later, free admission for AAM members was listed on their website.

It doesn't really bother me all that much.  Worst case scenario, you're financially supporting the work of fellow professionals.  If they're willing to let me in for free, then great!  If not, that's OK too.

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Geoffrey Woodcox
Assistant Curator of Collections
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Bismarck ND
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2018 09:16 AM
From: Laura Roberts
Subject: SFMOMA non-member

I had the same reaction at the Museum of Northern Arizona, where the admissions desk was directly under their Accreditation certificate! In general, I find it far easier to use my ICOM card in the rest of the world than my AAM card in the U.S. Here it is too often a hassle. But thank you to those museums that are gracious and efficient (and often let in my companion too!)

But I also think that professional courtesy  shields us from the reality faced by our visitors. When you were asked to actually pay $25, you got a sense of how the visiting public has to do a quick cost benefit  analysis under the watchful eye of a museum staff member and a line of folks behind you.

Laura Roberts, Cambridge MA

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Laura Roberts
Principal
Roberts Consulting
Cambridge MA

I know it isn't an "official" benefit of AAM membership, but this is why I posted recently about it too. A list would be helpful to know in order for people to plan/set expectations!

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Ray Smith PhD
Director
Corita Art Center
Los Angeles CA
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