Open Forum

Hello!

For a project, I am interested in speaking with CEOs, CFOs, or Operations Managers of private 501(c)3 museums that operate in buildings owned by a municipality (county, state, city, town). Specifically, I am looking for comparator organizations for a small museum that operates in a situation where they municipality maintains the building, does not charge rent, and pays all utilities (sounds like a sweet deal, but there are some drawbacks).  This may not be your exact situation, but if you find that the specific occupancy situation of your museum causes you to explain, justify, or make allowances for, your operating budget in comparison to other museums of your size, I'd like to hear from you!

Thanks in advance!

Erin


------------------------------
Erin Richardson PhD
Principal
Erin Richardson Consulting
Cooperstown NY
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hello!

For a project, I am interested in speaking with CEOs, CFOs, or Operations Managers of private 501(c)3 museums that operate in buildings owned by a municipality (county, state, city, town). Specifically, I am looking for comparator organizations for a small museum that operates in a situation where they municipality maintains the building, does not charge rent, and pays all utilities (sounds like a sweet deal, but there are some drawbacks).  This may not be your exact situation, but if you find that the specific occupancy situation of your museum causes you to explain, justify, or make allowances for, your operating budget in comparison to other museums of your size, I'd like to hear from you!

Thanks in advance!

Erin


------------------------------
Erin Richardson PhD
Principal
Erin Richardson Consulting
Cooperstown NY
------------------------------

Both the Noah Webster House in West Hartford, CT and Craftsman Farms in Parsippany, N.J. are municipally-owned properties operated as museums by non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations.  In each case, the town plows, provides utilities and other services.

Having worked in this environment, I can say it's both a blessing and a curse.  The success of these is heavily dependent upon the individuals involved, both at the staff and governance levels.

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Vivian Zoë
Executive Director
Slater Memorial Museum
Norwich CT
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-16-2019 08:49 AM
From: Martha Akins
Subject: Seeking museums operating in municipally-owned structures

Historic Rosemont in Gallatin, TN may be someone you can contact.

 

http://historicrosemont.com/

 

 

 

Martha Akins

Deputy Director for Facilities

martha.akins@vizcaya.org

305-860-8426  

Stay connected! Facebook I Twitter I Instagram

 

VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS

 

Original Message------

Hello!

For a project, I am interested in speaking with CEOs, CFOs, or Operations Managers of private 501(c)3 museums that operate in buildings owned by a municipality (county, state, city, town). Specifically, I am looking for comparator organizations for a small museum that operates in a situation where they municipality maintains the building, does not charge rent, and pays all utilities (sounds like a sweet deal, but there are some drawbacks).  This may not be your exact situation, but if you find that the specific occupancy situation of your museum causes you to explain, justify, or make allowances for, your operating budget in comparison to other museums of your size, I'd like to hear from you!

Thanks in advance!

Erin


------------------------------
Erin Richardson PhD
Principal
Erin Richardson Consulting
Cooperstown NY
------------------------------

Hi Erin:

Several private 501 (c) 3 museums in New York City are on city owned land and in city owned buildings.  What exact financial support exists will vary according to institutional arrangements.  These include the Museum of the City of New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum and the American Museum of Natural History.  On a smaller scale you could check with the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts in Madison, NJ.

Regards,

Steve

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Steven Miller
Doylestown, PA

Executive Director Retired
Boscobel Restoration, Inc.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-15-2019 01:45 PM
From: Erin Richardson
Subject: Seeking museums operating in municipally-owned structures

Hello!

For a project, I am interested in speaking with CEOs, CFOs, or Operations Managers of private 501(c)3 museums that operate in buildings owned by a municipality (county, state, city, town). Specifically, I am looking for comparator organizations for a small museum that operates in a situation where they municipality maintains the building, does not charge rent, and pays all utilities (sounds like a sweet deal, but there are some drawbacks).  This may not be your exact situation, but if you find that the specific occupancy situation of your museum causes you to explain, justify, or make allowances for, your operating budget in comparison to other museums of your size, I'd like to hear from you!

Thanks in advance!

Erin


------------------------------
Erin Richardson PhD
Principal
Erin Richardson Consulting
Cooperstown NY
------------------------------

Erin, 
You might contact Michelle Podkowa at the DuPage County Historical Museum in Wheaton, Illinois. Their situation might be a little more complicated than what you've described but she could be helpful. 

Michelle Podkowa
Museum Manager and Educator
630.510.4956
mpodkowa@wheatonparks.org

Best, 

Sara

------------------------------
Sara Arnas
Grant Writer
David & Alfred Smart Museum of Art - University of Chicago
Chicago IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-15-2019 01:45 PM
From: Erin Richardson
Subject: Seeking museums operating in municipally-owned structures

Hello!

For a project, I am interested in speaking with CEOs, CFOs, or Operations Managers of private 501(c)3 museums that operate in buildings owned by a municipality (county, state, city, town). Specifically, I am looking for comparator organizations for a small museum that operates in a situation where they municipality maintains the building, does not charge rent, and pays all utilities (sounds like a sweet deal, but there are some drawbacks).  This may not be your exact situation, but if you find that the specific occupancy situation of your museum causes you to explain, justify, or make allowances for, your operating budget in comparison to other museums of your size, I'd like to hear from you!

Thanks in advance!

Erin


------------------------------
Erin Richardson PhD
Principal
Erin Richardson Consulting
Cooperstown NY
------------------------------

Dear Erin,

I would be happy to connect with you regarding museums that operate in municipally owned structures.  The Valdez Museum & Historical Archive, a 501c(3) is contracted with the City to manage and operate the Museum with the goals of decreasing dependence on City funding, increasing the Museum's ability to care for and manage the community's heritage materials, and to continue to serve the community of Valdez. The City of Valdez owns our facilities and the museum's collections.  We operate under a lease management agreement.  

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Patricia Relay
Executive Director
Valdez Museum & Historical Archive
Valdez AK
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-15-2019 01:45 PM
From: Erin Richardson
Subject: Seeking museums operating in municipally-owned structures

Hello!

For a project, I am interested in speaking with CEOs, CFOs, or Operations Managers of private 501(c)3 museums that operate in buildings owned by a municipality (county, state, city, town). Specifically, I am looking for comparator organizations for a small museum that operates in a situation where they municipality maintains the building, does not charge rent, and pays all utilities (sounds like a sweet deal, but there are some drawbacks).  This may not be your exact situation, but if you find that the specific occupancy situation of your museum causes you to explain, justify, or make allowances for, your operating budget in comparison to other museums of your size, I'd like to hear from you!

Thanks in advance!

Erin


------------------------------
Erin Richardson PhD
Principal
Erin Richardson Consulting
Cooperstown NY
------------------------------

Hi Erin - The Manatee County Agricultural Museum operates in a building owned by the City, they own the property as well. We have a lease agreement. The City pays our utility bills, mows the yard, and is responsible for some repairs. In addition, staff is employed by the County's Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Clerk's Office also provides support dollars and is instrumental in providing IT equipment/support, professional development, and a host of other services to staff and facility. I'd be happy to connect with you if it would be helpful!

Sincerely,

------------------------------
Diane Ingram
Museum Supervisor
Manatee County Agricultural Museum
Palmetto FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-15-2019 01:45 PM
From: Erin Richardson
Subject: Seeking museums operating in municipally-owned structures

Hello!

For a project, I am interested in speaking with CEOs, CFOs, or Operations Managers of private 501(c)3 museums that operate in buildings owned by a municipality (county, state, city, town). Specifically, I am looking for comparator organizations for a small museum that operates in a situation where they municipality maintains the building, does not charge rent, and pays all utilities (sounds like a sweet deal, but there are some drawbacks).  This may not be your exact situation, but if you find that the specific occupancy situation of your museum causes you to explain, justify, or make allowances for, your operating budget in comparison to other museums of your size, I'd like to hear from you!

Thanks in advance!

Erin


------------------------------
Erin Richardson PhD
Principal
Erin Richardson Consulting
Cooperstown NY
------------------------------

Though we are not a small museum, we are a dual governance between Orange County Government and the Historical Society of Central Florida.​ HSCF owns our collection, OC gov the building. It is a dynamic arrangement to say the least. I have also worked with other museums locally that have municipality-owned structures. One of which, because of this arrangement, was essentially forced to close its doors this year. Would be happy to chat and or assist in any way you might find helpful.

------------------------------
Pam Schwartz
Pamela.schwartz@ocfl.net
Chief Curator
Orange County Regional History Center
Orlando FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-15-2019 01:45 PM
From: Erin Richardson
Subject: Seeking museums operating in municipally-owned structures

Hello!

For a project, I am interested in speaking with CEOs, CFOs, or Operations Managers of private 501(c)3 museums that operate in buildings owned by a municipality (county, state, city, town). Specifically, I am looking for comparator organizations for a small museum that operates in a situation where they municipality maintains the building, does not charge rent, and pays all utilities (sounds like a sweet deal, but there are some drawbacks).  This may not be your exact situation, but if you find that the specific occupancy situation of your museum causes you to explain, justify, or make allowances for, your operating budget in comparison to other museums of your size, I'd like to hear from you!

Thanks in advance!

Erin


------------------------------
Erin Richardson PhD
Principal
Erin Richardson Consulting
Cooperstown NY
------------------------------

Our situation is doubly peculiar.  We are a quasi state agency (totally unfunded) and governed by a commission appointed by the Governor.  You can imagine how efficient that is.  Anyway, the museum was built with a combination of federal grants (Great River Road Commission) and private funds.  Construction of the building was contracted for and overseen by the state's Facilities and Planning Department.  We occupy the building at no charge (how generous), and for 35 years have paid for every bit of maintenance, large and small.  In 2018 we got the state to admit that they were at least responsible for MAJOR deferred maintenance, such as replacing the antiquated HVAC system.  That was a very big ticket item.  This year, we hope they will fund a new roof, as it is original to the building and a disaster waiting to happen.  Now that the ice has been broken, we hope the state will take responsibility for more of these major projects, as the building is functionally obsolete. Not sure that answered your question, but it is an example of a building owned by a governmental unit.

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David Beard
Executive Director
USS KIDD Veterans Memorial Museum
Baton Rouge LA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-18-2019 09:48 AM
From: Pam Schwartz
Subject: Seeking museums operating in municipally-owned structures

Though we are not a small museum, we are a dual governance between Orange County Government and the Historical Society of Central Florida.​ HSCF owns our collection, OC gov the building. It is a dynamic arrangement to say the least. I have also worked with other museums locally that have municipality-owned structures. One of which, because of this arrangement, was essentially forced to close its doors this year. Would be happy to chat and or assist in any way you might find helpful.

------------------------------
Pam Schwartz
Pamela.schwartz@ocfl.net
Chief Curator
Orange County Regional History Center
Orlando FL

Original Message:
Sent: 01-15-2019 01:45 PM
From: Erin Richardson
Subject: Seeking museums operating in municipally-owned structures

Hello!

For a project, I am interested in speaking with CEOs, CFOs, or Operations Managers of private 501(c)3 museums that operate in buildings owned by a municipality (county, state, city, town). Specifically, I am looking for comparator organizations for a small museum that operates in a situation where they municipality maintains the building, does not charge rent, and pays all utilities (sounds like a sweet deal, but there are some drawbacks).  This may not be your exact situation, but if you find that the specific occupancy situation of your museum causes you to explain, justify, or make allowances for, your operating budget in comparison to other museums of your size, I'd like to hear from you!

Thanks in advance!

Erin


------------------------------
Erin Richardson PhD
Principal
Erin Richardson Consulting
Cooperstown NY
------------------------------