Open Forum

Seeking insight from museums/sites with experience in charging a separate admission fee for an outdoor exhibition, or a "grounds pass".  With Covid constraints, our indoor Norman Rockwell Museum experience is only available to a small percentage of normal visitors. And, of course, overall visitor apprehension for indoor activities will continue into the summer/fall.   We are lucky to also have 36 acres of beautiful park-like grounds with permanent sculptures, paved paths, and woods walks - which we have never charged for.

This summer we will feature a new juried sculpture exhibit "Land of Enchantment" to compliment our large galley exhibition "Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Art".   Like many of you - we're looking for revenue "recovery" opportunities, and are exploring the feasibility and logistics of charging an "outdoor only" fee, add-on, and/or strategically placed outdoor donation boxes.    Thanks for your input and experience with any of these options ...  any pros/cons, lessons learned, results appreciated! 

Many thanks,

Margit

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Margit Hotchkiss
[Chief Marketing Officer]
Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge MA
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I think that unless the sculptures will be exhibited in a manner that could be separated from a normal experience on the grounds, like an area with a barrier around it or taking admission before anyone sets foot onto the grounds, your best bet could be strategically placed donation boxes. I visited a botanical garden (unfortunately, I don't recall which one - sorry!) that also had a special sculpture exhibition and they had donation boxes next to each one. They were doing a contest for guests to vote for their favorite sculpture by placing a donation in the box next to the sculpture.

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Kevin Harris
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2021 01:50 PM
From: Margit Hotchkiss
Subject: Separate Admission Fee for Outdoor Exhibition or "Grounds Pass"

Seeking insight from museums/sites with experience in charging a separate admission fee for an outdoor exhibition, or a "grounds pass".  With Covid constraints, our indoor Norman Rockwell Museum experience is only available to a small percentage of normal visitors. And, of course, overall visitor apprehension for indoor activities will continue into the summer/fall.   We are lucky to also have 36 acres of beautiful park-like grounds with permanent sculptures, paved paths, and woods walks - which we have never charged for.

This summer we will feature a new juried sculpture exhibit "Land of Enchantment" to compliment our large galley exhibition "Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Art".   Like many of you - we're looking for revenue "recovery" opportunities, and are exploring the feasibility and logistics of charging an "outdoor only" fee, add-on, and/or strategically placed outdoor donation boxes.    Thanks for your input and experience with any of these options ...  any pros/cons, lessons learned, results appreciated! 

Many thanks,

Margit

------------------------------
Margit Hotchkiss
[Chief Marketing Officer]
Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge MA
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