Can museums survive the economy?

Sad reminders of the times we live in have recently flooded my inbox. First was a plea from ACM, asking that we remind Congress that spending for NEA, NEH and IMLS in the proposed stimulus package is not "waste" as so many people want to assume. It saddens and angers me when I hear politicians complaining about the "wasteful spending" on arts programs. Do they forget that museums employ nearly a quarter million citizens? And other arts and library programs employ even more? Or do museum jobs seem less important than other jobs? Why is it that museums continue to be seen as an "extra" for society, rather than a necessity?

The second reminder just hit the Museum L list today. A plea from a manager on how to go about eliminating positions (our favored euphemism for layoffs) when she has never done so. Followed by a slew of emails with advice because they have either recently laid off staff, or recently been laid off. I don't know about you, but I was unprepared for the idea of museum layoffs, especially in the numbers I have seen. I have heard from several colleagues who have been prepping their CVs, just in case. And several whose museums have laid off staff. We've avoided that so far, but I'll admit, I worry.

AAM has created a forum to help museums navigate this scary time. http://www.aam-us.org/survivalguide.cfm 

Breaking News: Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has introduced an amendment to prohibit any funds in the economic stimulus bill from going to any museum. The language of the amendment, (Amendment No. 175, as filed) is, "None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, arts center, or highway beautification project, including renovation, remodeling, construction, salaries, furniture, zero-gravity chairs, big screen televisions, beautification, rotating pastel lights, and dry heat saunas."

Personally, I'm a bit peeved at the implication that funds would go to zero-gravity chairs, tvs, or saunas. All of these businesses, casinos included, employ people - people who need jobs. They bring dollars to the economy. Why do we continue to see this as wasteful spending? Have we learned nothing from the collapse of big Wall Street? THAT is wasteful spending - money for the arts is not.

Call your senator NOW to tell them to vote NO on Amendment 175