Author: Michael Washburn and Associates

Publication Year: 1979

Media Type: Report

Summary:

This report deals with assessing the impact of grants awarded by the NEA to museums for special exhibitions. Conclusion: Both the assured annual availability from the Endowment of significant quantity of financial support for museum special exhibitions and the application criteria and review process employed distinguish the Endowment from other funding sources available to museums.

Abstract:

This report deals with assessing the impact of grants awarded by the NEA to museums for special exhibitions. Conclusion: Both the assured annual availability from the Endowment of significant quantity of financial support for museum special exhibitions and the application criteria and review process employed distinguish the Endowment from other funding sources available to museums. These unique characteristics of Endowment funding provide a valuable balance to the influence of other exhibition sponsors and broaden the range of programming which museums are able to provide the public. (p. ix)

CONTENTS
Summary.

Section I. Background.

Section II. Methodology.

Section III. Findings.

A. Unique qualities of endowment funding for special exhibitions. 
     1. Availability of funds.
     2. Professional imprimatur.

B. Areas specifically affected by Endowment Funding for Special
     Exhibitions.
     1. Planning.  
     2. Programming Flexibility.
     3. Scope and Quality. 
     4. Fundraising/Development.
     5. Catalogue, Documentation and Research.
     6. Professional Standing.

C. Areas Generally Affected by Endowment Funding for Special
     Exhibitions.
     1. Public Participation/Attendance.
     2. Internal Museum Operations.

Appendix:
     A. List of Staff and Consultants.
     B. List of Advisors.
     C. Construction and Profile of Sample.
          Sample Construction - Breakdown of Variables. 
          (A look at exhibitions and the grants awarded to museums.) 
     D. List of all museums and exhibitions included in sample.
     E. List of museums included in on-site visits.
     F. List of museums in the control group and regional distribution.
     G. Telephone interview guide.
     H. On-site interview guide.
      I. Control group interview guide with data.
     J. Data summary: telephone interview questions with frequency of responses and
         percentages.
     K. List of cross-tabulations and chi squares.
     L. On-site interviews.
         Curator of Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago: Sol Lewitt.
         Curator of Phoenix Art Museum: Beyond the Endless River.
     M. Funding sources for Special Exhibitions in sample.
     N. Designation of grant funds within individuals exhibition budgets.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Funding