VAN GOGH MUSEUM TO OFFER CONSULTING SERVICES TO BOOST REVENUE
In order to increase its revenue, the Van Gogh Museum announced last month that it has started an advisory program, which provides private collectors, corporations, and other museums and institutions with the expertise of its museum professionals, Nina Siegal of the New York Times reports.
Due to the decline in government funding and the possible drop in visitor numbers as a result of terrorism and other unforeseeable events, the museum is looking to earn money outside of ticket sales. Managing director Adriaan Dönszelmann established the program and expects the initiative to generate up to 5 percent of the museum’s operating budget of over $50 million. He did not discuss rates, but said that fees would be decided based on a sliding scale. Corporate clients will pay more than public insitutions.
The museum staff will serve as consultants for various issues such as conservation and preservation, installation of climate control services, and education programs.
“Museums are used to a different type of outreach that is more about sharing their knowledge and collection, but not in the commercial contractual manner,” the director of programs and partnerships for the International Council of Museums in Paris, France Desmarais, said. Desmarais added that by offering professional services to the private sector ethical questions could arise about curatorial independence and the museum’s mission.
Dönszelmann acknowledged this possibility, but does not think there will be a problem. However, he is concerned about the time-management issues this will create for the staff who will now spend 5 to 10 percent of their time with clients. If the program is a success, the museum might hire additional specialists. It has not yet entered into any contracts, but has found numerous clients through the financial management consultancy, Deloitte Luxemborg, who began working with the museum on a pilot program two years ago.
