Really, there's no point keeping so many Kansas City museums open considering that nobody wants to fund them, they can't stay open through private donations AND they're mostly empty so raising admission rates would be out of the question.
Of course, this is in reference to a recent effort to raise taxes for local museums that mercifully failed:
After just one day of debate, a city council member has killed a proposal to raise property taxes for museums. Just yesterday, a council committee recommended putting the Museum Tax on the ballot in August for voters to decide. But it's now been pulled off the table, and Deb Hermann, the City Council Finance Chair, describes the plan - desperately wanted by the museum at Union Station - as dead.Given that we're in a recession and NONE OF THE PRICEY MUSEUMS IN THIS TOWN CAN PULL THEIR OWN WEIGHT . . . TKC would like to help out and I'm providing a list of museums in the metro that should be closed:
I'm sure I could come up with more examples but this list is a great starting point and a gentle reminder that most supporters for Kansas City museums comes from people who don't actually have to pay for them.
You obviously haven't been to Union Station since the exhibit opened or you wouldn't say such stupid things.
ReplyDeleteThe place is busy all the time.
And the WWI museum is outstanding. They just need to do a better job of getting the word out.
You are obviously lying, I work in Crown Center and go to lunch there everyday. I've never had a problem getting a table. There is almost never a crowd.
ReplyDeleteKansas City's wealthy should step up the philantrhopic patronage of these institutions. Or maybe we could sell out for more corporate sponsorship? Let companies throw their names on everything, at least we'll still get to come look at the old stuff.
ReplyDeleteI don't really notice a difference one way or another at Union Station.
ReplyDeleteSometimes Union Station is busy, sometimes not. It currently draws less of a crowd because A: It's the end of the school year and B: The weather has finally started to turn nice.
ReplyDeleteThe World War I museum and the Liberty Memorial are great, but they don't get huge crowds for a couple of reasons -- a not-so-great parking situation and an utter lack of marketing. To be honest, if I didn't work within walking distance of the memorial, I wouldn't know it existed. Whoever runs their marketing department (if they have one) should have been fired long ago.
Lets all leave our overgrown cow town egos at the door. Private business and not for profit business need to support themselves or go away. Where did we get the belief that the public needs to support every tom, dick, and harry operation that feels they have a mandate to take tax money because they do something that some people
ReplyDeletefeel is necessary. Zoo's, Museums,Preforming Arts Center, Ball Stadiums, Arenas, Arthur Bryants and the Greater Kansas City Arts Council are entertainment. In some extreme cases they function as education BUT they are not necessary to the function of a city, a persons life or a businesses success or failure. No body drives to Kansas City to see a museum --if they do they need their head examined. I work every day, I keep my little part of the city clean and safe, I never oppose an education tax or a health tax. Those are things that every society needs all of the time. Museums and other cultural amenities are icing on the cake they are what makes life better--but they do not make life. Pay at the door tighten your belt or fade into the sunset like Tonto and the Lone Ranger, they are gone because they did not command enough money at the box office.
VOTE NO ON ANY AND EVERY ARTS OR CULTURAL TAX
To the idiot who posted that nobody drives to Kansas City to visit a museum...You're the one who needs a head examination. That's how museums stay alive.
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here right now working in a museum that receives ZERO funds from the city or the state. Know what? We've got a full house and we're meeting our budget.
The problem with KCM/Union Station and the 18th and Vine District is two-fold: mismanagement of money/resources and lack of community involvement. The museum I work for 2 weekends a month survives solely on getting people engaged in our activities and history.
If people don't want their taxes raised, they need to go and spend the free to $10 bucks and support the history and culture of Kansas City. Become museum members, volunteer your time and talent.
I worked for the Kansas City Museum and Union Station right when it opened for about 2 years. The KCM is in such bad disrepair and the building needs to be protected from further aging. Thank God they are finally doing something.
Ironically, Robert A. Long was person who donated $1million dollars to the Liberty Memorial Fund. He believed in preserving history and now his house is falling apart.
Hopping off my soapbox now and still missing the igloo...
The igloo has been gone for almost 30 years ever since the third floor was closed to visitors. I suspect the entire museum will suffer the same fate.
ReplyDeleteUmmm...dkc...did you just read what I wrote? KCM is being saved....the igloo (which is made of concrete) is still there and is on the third floor. Will it ever be opened again? No, due to fire codes and stairs and such.
ReplyDeleteBut thank God the museum which has given generations of joy to Kansas Citians is safe. They are restoring it. I'm just waiting for the day they dig up the lion in the backyard...but that's another story...
For my money, Moxie Mama is probably the most intelligent commenter that Tony has ever had.
ReplyDeleteI think we should just turn the KCM into a big cabelas and turn the union station into a giant indoor bicycle track
ReplyDelete