Case Study Interviews

Attachment D:

Museum Funder Discussion Guide

[Each interviewer will have reviewed background information on the agency’s mission, history, budget and major programs before visiting the organization for this interview.]

I. Introduction

Thank you very much for agreeing to contribute to this study of public support for museums in the United States. The purpose of this research, which the Urban Institute is conducting for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is to better understand how mechanisms currently in place for delivering federal dollars to museums around the country influences museum services, and how changes to these mechanisms might influence the museum field and public support for museums. There are two components to this study, a survey of museums, and a set of targeted, state-based interviews with museum stakeholders.

In the course of this interview, I will ask you a set of questions centered around four basic themes:

• the public roles of museums,

• the relationship between the public roles of museums and public support for museums,

• the relationship between federal and state funding of museums, and

• the ways in which funding mechanisms impact museum services.

This interview will take about an hour. Your answers will be kept confidential. Neither your name nor your institution’s name will be linked to any of your responses and nothing you say will affect current of future funding from IMLS or other federal agencies. If you would like to participate, I ask that you review and sign the following consent form. [Attachment F]

Do you have any questions before we begin?

II. Questions about Public Purpose

1. How would you describe the public value of museums?

2. What are the public services provided by museums?

1. How well do museums provide access?

2. How well do museums provide education?

3. How well do museums provide innovation?

4. How well do museums provide stewardship?

5. How well do museums provide effective management?

6. How well do museums work in partnership?

3. Do you think that public funds play a role in the programming and mission of museums?

4. Do you think that other resources provided by government play a role in the programming and mission of museums? (E.g.: benefits of nonprofit status such as property tax exemption, nonprofit postage rates, tax deductions for contributors; donations of land or property; services provided by government agencies such as National Park Service or Convention and Visitor’s Bureaus).

5. Has there ever been a case where public funds or other types of support from a government source played an essential role in developing the programming or mission of a museum?

6. Do you think that public resources tend to be targeted toward specific types of museum programming?

6a. Should they be targeted toward specific types of museum programming?

7. Do you think that public resources help museums to fulfill their public roles?

III. Questions about the Public Funding of the Organization

1. How would you characterize the importance and roles of museums to the work of your agency/organization?

2. What kinds of museums has this agency/organization funded? museums of different types and sizes? museums in different settings (e.g. rural or urban) and geographical areas? museums with differing programs and missions?

3. What federal funds, if any, does this agency/organization distribute to museums?

1. From what agency, agencies or branches?

2. What are the funds used for?

3. Would you describe these funds as essential or supplemental?

4. What state, county or local funds, if any, does this agency/organization distribute to museums?

1. From what agency, agencies or branches?

2. What are the funds used for?

3. Would you describe these funds as essential or supplemental?

5. What types of funding program does this agency/organization use to distribute funds to museums? competitive grant programs? Re-granting programs? general operating support programs? earmark distributions? other?

6. What other types of resources and support does this agency/organization provide to museums? (E.g.: marketing, lobbying and advocacy resources, technology, professional development, etc.)

7. What other agencies and organizations do you work with in distributing funds to museums?

IV. Questions about the Character, Purposes and Effectiveness of Public Funding Mechanisms

1. Do you think public funding has contributed to museums’ public service role, encouraging public understanding of culture, science, art, history, or nature?

2. Do you think public funding contributed to museums’ carrying out their educational role, especially in conjunction with schools, family, and community?

3. Do you think public funding has encouraged leadership, innovation, and applications of the most current technologies and practices at your institution?

4. Do you think public funding has assisted, encouraged, or supported museums’ stewardship responsibilities for the conservation and care of museums’ collection?

5. Do you think public funding has helped museums to achieve high standards of management and service to the public?

6. Do you think public funding has encouraged resource sharing and partnerships among museums and libraries, schools, and other community organizations?

7. Do you think that museums are well served by cultural sector agencies and officials of the federal government?

8. Do you think that museums are well served by cultural sector agencies and officials of the state government? county government? local government?

9. Do you feel that federal funds and other resources are equitably distributed to museums of different types and sizes? Why or why not?

1. Do you feel that federal funds and other resources are equitably distributed to museums in different settings (e.g. rural or urban) and geographical areas? Why or why not?

2. Do you feel that federal funds and other resources are equitably distributed among museums with differing programs and missions? Why or why not?

10. Do you feel that state and local funds and other resources are equitably distributed to museums of different types and sizes? Why or why not?

1. Do you feel that state and local funds and other resources are equitably distributed to museums in different settings (e.g. rural or urban) and geographical areas? Why or why not?

2. Do you feel that state funds and other resources are equitably distributed among museums with differing programs and missions? Why or why not?

11. In reference to federal funds:

1. Do you think that national competitive grant programs benefit museums of any particular type or size? geographical area? museums with any particular kind of programs or mission?

2. Do you think that a population-based block grant program would benefit museums of any particular type or size? geographical area? museums with any particular kind of programs or mission?

3. Do you think that earmarks benefit museums of any particular type or size? geographical area? museums with any particular kind of programs or mission?

V. Closing

Thank you for your time.

Provide business card with full contact information. Provide information about release date for report.

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