North American Art Museums Generated Only 27% of Income from Operations in 2013-14
A survey conducted by the Association of Art Museum Directors revealed that North American art museums derived just 27% of their total income from earned sources during the 2013-14 period. The remaining 73% came from private donations, endowment returns, and government support. This financial analysis, covering 220 out of 236 member institutions, was reported by the LA Times. Earned revenue streams included admission fees, parking charges, food and beverage sales, gift shop merchandise, and facility rentals. In the same fiscal year, these museums collectively expanded their holdings by acquiring 86,010 new artworks. The data highlights the heavy reliance of these cultural institutions on external funding rather than self-generated operational income.
Key facts
- North American art museums earned only 27% of their income in 2013-14
- The remaining 73% came from private donations, endowments, and government funding
- The survey was conducted by the Association of Art Museum Directors
- Data was collected from 220 of the association's 236 member museums
- Earned income included admission tickets, parking, refreshments, gift shops, and facility rentals
- Museums collectively acquired 86,010 new works for their collections in the same year
- The findings were reported in the LA Times
- The survey focused on attendance and finance metrics
Entities
Institutions
- Association of Art Museum Directors
- LA Times
Locations
- North America