tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620083069563288651.post9157608847018401759..comments2022-06-11T02:14:40.682-06:00Comments on alliancetimes.com: Should We Have To Pay To Visit Our Museums?ATH Staffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10717201486099597036noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620083069563288651.post-61213934379194361872010-11-26T21:51:16.264-07:002010-11-26T21:51:16.264-07:00Museums are usually open to the general public, so...Museums are usually open to the general public, sometimes charging an admission fee. Some museums are publicly funded and have free entrance, either permanently or on special days, e.g. once per week or year.<br /><br />Museums are usually not run for the purpose of making a profit, unlike private galleries which more often engage in the sale of objects. There are governmental museums, non-governmental or non-profit museums, and privately owned or family museums. Museums can be a reputable and generally trusted source of information about cultures and history.<br /><br />Definitions include: "permanent institution in the service of society and of its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment, for the purposes of education, study, and enjoyment", by the International Council of Museums; and "Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. They are institutions that collect, safeguard and make accessible artifacts and specimens, which they hold in trust for society," by the UK Museums Association.<br />As Mr. Goodall eluded to "what was the original intent of Mr. and Mrs. Eldred's generous contribution to Alliance"? Instinct suggest they wanted to share and cultivate inspiration gained through education and pure enjoyment their gift to Alliance would promote. May they rest in peace knowing Alliance is doing right by their memory. Put this in context and respect their original purpose. Respect Mr. and Mrs. Eldred's children. Respect contributor's of Sallow's Military Museum. I believe for the sake and integrity of the people of Alliance that the city does not move forward without open communication with both museum founder's, specifically living family member's. We owe the family gratitude and respect. Without them we would not have these 'living' cultural attractions.Sue Murphynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620083069563288651.post-59465867707446481572010-11-16T18:29:57.354-07:002010-11-16T18:29:57.354-07:00As a former city councilman during the time when b...As a former city councilman during the time when both museums were in deliberation, and to make a long story short, the answer is absolutely NO.<br /><br />The idea of coming up with a so called "revenue stream" to help with the various maintenance costs involved with both museums, specifically in the case of the Knight Museum, was the brainchild of a particular city councilman who is still on the council and was voted down at the time. It should be voted down again.<br /><br />In the case of the Knight Museum, and in accordance with the Memo for Understanding signed both by the city and the Eldred Foundation, it was agreed that both entities would write grants for the various "traveling" art displays and in the case of the City of Alliance obtaining and and all grants it was agreed that whatever money received by the city in the form of any and all grant money, that money would first be spent on upkeep, maintenance and other related costs. Question, who is currently responsible for writing these proposed grants? Are they even being written? And if so, is the public being kept informed of the process and amounts? <br /><br />Both museums are the responsibility of the city and should be budgeted as such...plain and simple. Unfortunately, it appears as is the city continues to rely on good natured organizations to continue to staff (as is the case for the military museum) and to provide monetary assistance to the city for that staffing as well as to raise funds for both museums for various costs that should be the burden of the city and not for those organizations to continue to bear.<br /><br />We knew from the very beginning that one day the city would take possession of both museums, that they both would be assets to the city and that the city would someday bear the burden of the various costs of running the museums such as natural gas, electricity, increased staffing, traveling art displays, etc. <br /><br />Charging folks in any which way, with the only possible exception being a "free will" offering, as has been the custom at the both museums for quite sometime, would be a huge mistake. <br /><br />What a ridiculous idea.<br /><br /> <br />My question, who is writing the "grants"?Gary Goodellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1620083069563288651.post-18255780606174246372010-11-15T16:02:56.410-07:002010-11-15T16:02:56.410-07:00Perhaps they will consider resident and non-reside...Perhaps they will consider resident and non-resident pricing if they decide to charge. In Maryland and Hawaii (and probably lots of other places) lots of tourist destinations have separate prices for those who already support the place through taxes.CraftyCroftshttp://www.craftycrofts.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com