Museums feeling economic crunch
MIAMI (AP) – Florida’s art museums are not immune to the recession.
Art institutions statewide are feeling the economic downturn in many ways as government funding dries up, donors give less and endowments lose significant value.
Experts say some institutions may not survive, changing the state’s cultural landscape.
“You are going to see some institutions that don’t make it through this or merge,” said Malinda Horton, Florida Association of Museums executive director. “I don’t think it will be vast loss, but I think we may lose some.”
As part of efforts to cut spending, museums have had to layoff staff and even reduce programming.
At The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, officials slashed six full-time positions, along with some part-time employees. Some educational programs were also cut, including one where curators would teach art at hospitals and long-term care facilities. Curators will also use the museum’s own collection for exhibits and cut back on hosting traveling shows.
“We were really working from a worst-case scenario, trying not to be too rosy about it,” said Hope McMath, the museum’s interim director.
Attendance and membership at the museum are strong, but state and city funding have declined and its endowments are down about 30 percent. McMath says four hours a week were trimmed off the museum’s weekly hours as well.
“We are trying to cut the things where our general visitor doesn’t feel it,” she said. “We consider a lot of the things that had to go as just being on hiatus.”
Terence Riley, Miami Art Museum director, said the museums budget was slashed 25 percent after private donations began slowing in 2008. Changes included staff reductions and wage and hiring freezes.
“All these are regrettable,” Riley said.
A new museum will be built to house the institution and Riley hopes to have groundbreaking before the end of the year. Riley says the funding for it is secure and doesn’t anticipate going over budget.
At The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, it’s a waiting game.