Museums Seek Federal Aid to Stay in Business Beyond COVID-19 Crisis

As the economic ramifications of the ever-expanding shutdown of daily life across the state and across the country due to the spreading COVID-19 pandemic accelerate, public officials are increasingly discussing how to assist families, small businesses and major industries recover.

Now, another sector of the economy, museums of all types (including history museums, art museums, zoos, aquaria, gardens, science centers, and historic sites) are stepping up seeking assistance.  It is said to be a $50 billion industry, employing 726,000 people nationwide.

Museums of every stripe in Connecticut have instituted weeks-long closings in recent days, with uncertainty as to when regular operations may resume. 

Nationwide, it is estimated that more than 75% are closed for at least two weeks. Industry officials indicate that many have less than one month’s reserves, and most have committed to continuing to pay staff for some time, but this will not be sustainable, according to an email distributed by CT Humanities on behalf of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). It is estimated that 25% or more museums will not reopen if closures and financial decline continues for much longer.

The industry has estimated that museums need economic relief of $4 billion to keep their staffs employed through the next few months. Museums, industry officials point out, will be vital to the nation’s recovery – and recovery of communities all over the country.   

“Nationwide, museums are losing at least $33 million a day due to closures as a result of COVID-19 and will be in desperate need of significant federal support to maintain jobs, secure our cultural heritage, help to rebuild our nation’s tourism industry – and simply to survive the months to come, AASLH officials point out.

In a message to supporters, they reaffirmed that “As places of inspiration/hope, gathering, and education – and among the nation’s most trusted resources – museums will bring people together, educate the public, and help to address/avoid xenophobia and other potential negative outcomes.”

Museums’ other major source of revenue, officials point out, are charitable contributions – which they point out are at risk given the stock market’s volatility – and continue to be at risk due to the 2017 tax law that effectively reduced the incentive for Americans to make donations.

Museums of all sizes are experiencing closure, attendance drop-offs, canceled events, and possible or actual layoffs, according to the AASLH, and those that remain open are losing, on average, 45% of their revenue for weeks and potentially months.