Author: Sokolow, David Simon

Publication Year: 1977

Media Type: Report

Summary:

American art museums have traditionally been supported by a mixture of gifts from wealthy patrons, admissions charges, and various indirect government subsidies. In recent years private support for art museums has dwindled, costs have risen, and indirect government subsidies have proven inadequate to take up the slack. The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City has conformed to this pattern.

Abstract:

American art museums have traditionally been supported by a mixture of gifts from wealthy patrons, admissions charges, and various indirect government subsidies. In recent years private support for art museums has dwindled, costs have risen, and indirect government subsidies have proven inadequate to take up the slack. The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City has conformed to this pattern. Founded, and for many years almost exclusively supported, by a small group of prominent families, MOMA has lately seen its sources of funding disappear and has been unable either to meet its operating deficit or finance planned expansion.

This article [aims to]... examine recent New York legislation which has the effect of aiding the Museum of Modern Art without depleting the public treasury. The Trust for Cultural Resources legislation is exceedingly complex, and it may be useful to explain exactly how it works before embarking on a detailed analysis of the statutory language. (p. 577).

CONTENTS
1. The tax provisions.
2. The condemnation power of the trust.
3. General law or special privilege?

Conclusion.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Fundraising