Museums hurt by current recession
If you think teachers are underpaid, you should try working in the art world. My sister in law is the Curator of Education at a non-profit museum here in Texas. Non-profits have little money to spare so their staff is even more underpaid that other types of museums. They have no benefits, no health care and low salaries. The people who do those jobs do it as a labor of love. It’s a shame, though, that someone with a master’s degree working in a place that gives back to the community, should pay so poorly. Prior to that, my sister in law worked at Barnes and Noble managing their Starbucks. She had a Bachelor degree at the time and believe it or not she made more there than she could have made as a teacher. Sad, isn’t it?
Sadly, things are going to get worse before they get better. Due to our current economic downturn, the museum industry is taking a hit. At a time when Americans are spending less and actually more likely to visit museums, the museums themselves are losing donors. Traditionally museums are often sponsored by wealthy donors and foundations but with the economic crisis many are investing their money in organizations that provide food and shelter for those hit hardest.
Major museums across the country are laying off staff, freezing recruitment and tossing out plans for expansion. While it may not seem like the end of the world, it takes a lot of people to maintain and care for our museums. This money is not made up by visitors. Visitors cost a museum approximately $23 per person while apparently bringing in an average of only $6.
So, the next time you visit a museum, thank the staff. They deserve a pat on the back!
