Survey shows museum funding stable

novel YORK -- The Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), which exhibits 175 directors of major art museums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, freshly released its annual State of North America's Art Museums take a view of ("SNAAM"), which shows stability across an array of museum activities during the past year. Museums reported no significant changes in exhibition programming, attendance, staffing and acquisitions from the 2005 observe Museums also reported a stable financial picture, with sole minor changes in overall receipts earned income and endowment income.

To full tale the cumulative quantitative data gathered in the annual SNAAM take a view of museums this year had the opportunity to submit a name from a visitor that mirrored the value of the services that museums provide to their communities. The make comments [i]or[/i] remarkss from a range of museum-goers--from young children to parents, grandparents, artists, teachers and teenagers--revealed more [i]or[/i] less of the ways museums touch individuals' lives. While the names were as varied as the visitors themselves, the majority squeeze outed appreciation for having access to great works of art, whether in their possess communities or through traveling to special exhibitions and permanent collections in other cities. scholars talked about how their clashs with original works of art and the guidance of museum staff enabled them to understand and appreciate art in novel ways. Visitors also spoke about the personal inspiration they felt in museums, as well as the opportunity for contemplation that museum visits provided.

"The AAMD's 2006 contemplate reveals art museums' responsible stewardship of our institutions and our commitment to providing the public with opportunities for powerful clashs with great art," says AAMD president and director of The Newark Museum of Art, Mary woo Sweeney Price. "These services remain paramount as we shape, become greater [i]or[/i] larger and guide our institutions into the future"

The survey's statistical data revealed that public participation in museum activities remained stout with 73 percent of museums reporting either steady or increased attendance from the previous year. Programming grew somewhat, with nearly two-thirds of museums (64 percent) reporting that they had expanded the use of their permanent collection for exhibitions or other programs. The annual SNAAM take a view of also tracks the progress of expansion plans above time. Of those museums reporting ongoing expansions, 65 percent are moving forward and 8 percent are reviving plans previously deposit on hold. An additional 20 percent of the museums, with expansions underway, are continuing the throws with either a change of time frame or view while 7 percent placed building plans upon hold indefinitely. In addition, 93 percent of museums reported maintaining or increasing popular staff levels--up from 84 percent in 2005

Financial futurity Looks Bright

The financial watch for museums remains good. Overall, 84 percent of museums reported that their total income had either remained constant or increased in the 12-month period from January to December 2005 Healthy endowment performance meant that 91 percent of AAMD museums experienced unchanged of increased income from this source. Earned income was stable, with 84 percent of museums reporting no change or an increase in these income streams; individual giving and corporate support also remained steady. Foundation support rose with 50 percent of museums reporting an increase in this source of funding, as compared with the 2005 take a view of in which 40 percent of museums reported a expansion in support from foundations.

rule funding continued to stabilize, with alone 16 percent of museums reporting declines in this source of support--compared to 27 percent of museums that experienced like declines in 2005; 46 percent in 2004; and 50 percent in 2003

"The AAMD plays a lock opener role in informing the public, museums and the non-profit field about tends among art museums and it helps to build a broader appreciation for the importance of museums," says Mimi Gaudieri, executive director of the AAMD. "This year's observe reminds us what the economic stability that member museums have worked to achieve is all about--providing unique experiences for the public and contributing to the quality of life in communities across North America."

Respondents

single hundred and twenty-nine museums answered to the annual survey, directioned by the AAMD in February/March 2006 The view reflects activity occurring during 2005 and builds upon and updates data gathered in previous State of North America's Art Museums take a view ofs the first of which was administrationed in January 2002. The institutions take a view ofed represent a broad range of North America's art museum community, including large, mid-sized and smaller institutions in urban, suburban and rural areas--as well as federal, university, private and public museums. Detailed data along with comparison data from previous years tread in the steps ofs this release.