Survey shows museum funding stable

NEW YORK -- The Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), which represents 175 directors of major art museums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, recently released its annual State of North America's Art Museums survey ("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 survey. Museums also reported a stable financial picture, with only minor changes in overall revenue, earned income and endowment income.

To complement the cumulative quantitative data gathered in the annual SNAAM survey, museums this year had the opportunity to submit a quote from a visitor that reflected the value of the services that museums provide to their communities. The comments, from a range of museum-goers--from young children to parents, grandparents, artists, teachers and teenagers--revealed some of the ways museums touch individuals' lives. While the quotes were as varied as the visitors themselves, the majority expressed appreciation for having access to great works of art, whether in their own communities or through traveling to special exhibitions and permanent collections in other cities. Students talked about how their encounters with original works of art and the guidance of museum staff enabled them to understand and appreciate art in new 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 survey reveals art museums' responsible stewardship of our institutions and our commitment to providing the public with opportunities for powerful encounters with great art," says AAMD president and director of The Newark Museum of Art, Mary Sue Sweeney Price. "These services remain paramount as we shape, grow, and guide our institutions into the future."

The survey's statistical data revealed that public participation in museum activities remained strong, 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 survey also tracks the progress of expansion plans over time. Of those museums reporting ongoing expansions, 65 percent are moving forward and 8 percent are reviving plans previously put on hold. An additional 20 percent of the museums, with expansions underway, are continuing the projects with either a change of time frame or scope, while 7 percent placed building plans on hold indefinitely. In addition, 93 percent of museums reported maintaining or increasing current staff levels--up from 84 percent in 2005.

Financial Future Looks Bright

The financial outlook for museums remains good. Overall, 84 percent of museums reported that their total revenue 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 revenue 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 20.05 survey in which 40 percent of museums reported a growth in support from foundations.

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

"The AAMD plays a key role in informing the public, museums and the non-profit field about trends 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 survey 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

One hundred and twenty-nine museums responded to the annual survey, conducted by the AAMD in February/March 2006. The survey reflects activity occurring during 2005 and builds on and updates data gathered in previous State of North America's Art Museums surveys, the first of which was conducted in January 2002. The institutions surveyed 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 follows this release.

For more information, call 212-754-8084.