[BCMA] To charge or not to charge?

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

I would be interested to hear everyone's comments on this topic. We have 
similar discussions at our Museum on whether or not to charge admission 
(we are currently access by donation) and/or to post a suggested 
donation price.


------ Original Message ------
From: "Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv." <bcma at lists.vifa.ca>
To: bcma at lists.vifa.ca
Sent: 02/08/2018 11:16:39 AM
Subject: Re: [BCMA] To charge or not to charge?

>Hi Linda,
>
>Here is an article from Colleen Dilenschneider on free admission and 
>its impact on attendance rates. Not exactly answering your question, 
>but I thought it might be relevant: 
>https://www.colleendilen.com/2015/08/12/how-free-admission-really-affects-museum-attendance-data/
>
>Cheers,
>Erica
>
>-
>Erica Mattson
>Executive Director
>BC Museums Association || 675 Belleville Street  || Victoria, BC || V8W 
>9W2 
><https://maps.google.com/?q=675+Belleville+Street%C2%A0+%7C%7C%C2%A0Victoria,+BC+%7C%7C%C2%A0V8W+9W2&entry=gmail&source=g>
>
>Direct: 250-356-5694 <tel:(250)%20356-5694> || Office: 250-356-5700 
><tel:(250)%20356-5700>  || www.museumsassn.bc.ca
>
>
>
>On Wed, Aug 1, 2018 at 3:21 PM, Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv. 
><bcma at lists.vifa.ca> wrote:
>>Dear Friends,
>>
>>
>>
>>We operate three museums in downtown Kelowna, with admission by 
>>donation. Our admissions  policy is under review, and we would like to 
>>know what other museums have learned about admission policy.  What are 
>>museums of various size categories handling admission? Does charging 
>>admission, rather than asking for a donation, increase or decrease 
>>revenues?  How does it impact visitation?  What else has been learned?
>>
>>
>>
>>Here is our experience:  Kelowna Museums Society sees just under 
>>40,000 visitors a year at our three museums.  We have a long history 
>>of offering admission by donation.  Last year, we posted small signs 
>>on the donation boxes stating the suggested donation is $5 per person. 
>>This worked for us, and we noticed an increase in donation box 
>>revenues. Based on recent performance, our budget reflects anticipated 
>>donation box revenues from our three facilities of $34,000.  Our 
>>average donation per person is about half of our suggested donation, 
>>or around $2.50 (some of our visitors pay program fees that are not 
>>reflected in the donation box revenue line, so this average refers to 
>>casual drop-in visitors).
>>
>>
>>
>>The board would like to know if revenues would increase if we 
>>instituted an admission fee.  Alternatively, they wonder if it would 
>>be beneficial to make our suggested donation signage more prominent 
>>and detailed, with suggested donations for individuals,  families, 
>>seniors, students, etc.
>>
>>
>>
>>General comments may be shared with the entire listserv community.  
>>Anyone who would like to engage in a more detailed exchange may 
>>contact me directly at:
>>
>>ldigby at kelownamuseums.ca, or 778-478-0346
>>
>>
>>
>>Best,
>>
>>Linda
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>BCMA mailing list
>>BCMA at lists.vifa.ca
>>http://lists.vifa.ca/mailman/listinfo/bcma 
>><http://lists.vifa.ca/mailman/listinfo/bcma>
>>
>
>
>
>-
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