The Phoenix newspaper recently had some articles and letters lamenting the loss of the $30 million Barry Goldwater Museum to Mesa.. The referenced article states that every dollar spent on a museum brings another seven dollars into the community.
Unless perhaps the museum is operated by the Arizona Historical Society. Does the huge and costly Marley Center Museum in Tempe draw any visitors? The AHS is unwilling to release any attendance figures. The parking lot seems to always be empty, except for the dozen or so cars driven by staff members.
The 5C Arizona Centennial Museum (AKA Arizona Experience Museum) is even worse. Separate line items in the AHS budget show the taxpayers are forking over nearly a half million dollars a year for this museum, but the building continues to stand locked and empty.
If museums can benefit a local economy, why are Arizona taxpayers supporting ones that do not?
Reference:
Did city blow its shot at museum?
Eugen Scott
The Arizona Republic, Oct 29, 2012, page B1
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