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  • 1.  Discounted admission during gallery changeover?

    Posted 01-08-2015 02:34 PM

    Hi,

     

    We get asked regularly by visitors why they have to pay full price admission when one or more galleries are closed for installation. We have 9 galleries and 30,000 square feet of exhibition space all on one level. Every few weeks, one of the galleries is closed for 5 days for tear down/installation. In the past, we have discounted admission by $1 for every gallery that is closed, but now I'm thinking that is a slippery slope for a variety of reasons. We are working very hard to remain firm in our admissions policies without seeming illogical or unfair to our visitors.

     

    I'm looking for others who have visitors make this complaint, and how you handle their frustrations.

     

    Would anyone from a similar sized museums care to weigh in?

     

    Thank you!


    Amanda Martin
    Deputy Director of Administration & Communications
    Fort Wayne Museum of Art
    311 East Main Street
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802
    P: 260.422.6467 ext. 322
    F: 260.422.1374
    www.fwmoa.org


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  • 2.  RE: Discounted admission during gallery changeover?

    Posted 01-12-2015 01:15 PM
    We have comparable exhibit space at MPM to yours.  We rarely, if ever, offer discounts due to a section being blocked off, be it for a few hours, a day or several days.  It is a bit easier for us as our special exhibit galleries are separate from the main exhibits but on occasion we do have to close down a section due to an event or reserved group.  At those times we try our best to have signage out both at the admissions windows and on the floor stating why that section is closed and for how long as well as having our staff that greets guests inform them.  If we have guests that get very upset about it we will sometimes offer rain-checks for general admission on another day. 

    One thing that has been suggested at our building is offering a member-swap with another local museum.  That way members that come in and aren't happy have a neat perk for the time that a section/gallery is closed.  It doesn't help with general guests but it is a nice benefit for members.

    -------------------------------------------
    Katherine Paul
    Visitor Assistant
    Milwaukee Public Museum
    Milwaukee WI
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  • 3.  RE: Discounted admission during gallery changeover?

    Posted 01-13-2015 09:48 AM
    While not a comparable space, the historic house museum where I used to work had a similar dilemma. After we began mounting changing exhibits we had a two tiered admission - the full tour (house and exhibit) and just the exhibit. We ended that after about a year because we found that we spent money creating the exhibits which was not represented by our lowering admission and many people came to see the exhibit, then decided to tour the house. Too much confusion. It seems to me that you are working to create a better experience for your visitor and the loss of a single gallery is not enough to affect ticket price.

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    Karen Lottes
    Museum Consultant
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  • 4.  RE: Discounted admission during gallery changeover?

    Posted 01-13-2015 06:57 PM
    We go thru the same thing. No matter how well you advertise to the public, you get those that miss the memo. We do offer a discounted rate for exhibit change overs or when a major private event has taken over the museum. Our rate doesn't go below the child pricing depending on the complexity of the exhibit. However, given funding dynamics we'e slowly moving away from this, principle reason some people wait unti these changes to get a discounted rate. Also, were finding most attractions in our area will not discount during renovations, patrons are expected to pay full price and they do. For those disgruntled customers we offer a voucher for another visit within the same calendar year or encourage that they sign up for our newsletter. ------------------------------------------- Rochelle Coslow-Robinson Exhibit Programs Director AACA Museum - Antique Auto Club of America Hershey PA -------------------------------------------
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  • 5.  RE: Discounted admission during gallery changeover?

    Posted 01-15-2015 03:22 AM
    We are asked for admission discount though we do not give any. Most of the in flow of fund is blocked as exhibition space is up for installations. The dismantle/ tear down of exhibition most often takes five days where the tiered exhibition floors have to be kept closed for visitors. Though the space is as much and one of exceptional designs for Gallery in town with four levels of mezzanine topped with a domed level. 

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    Shruti Ramlingaiah
    Deputy Curator (Exhibitions)
    Mumbai
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