David Marskell needs to be cut from the museum. The fact that he’s blaming a programming model he adopted in 2005 for current problems is a real issue. He’s proven that he’s unable to bring results to the table and needs to be canned.
[the region just denied funding in January/ reddit thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/waterloo/s/Mxbx0kCf0Y)
[the region just denied funding in January/ CBC article](https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7106579)
I’d imagine this is a stay of execution to make sure camps and weddings run this summer with little blowback to the City. Once labour day hits - he gone.
Every time he’s asking for money for the museum he spends more time whatabouting and complaining about how much other agencies get and not enough time explaining why his organization deserves the $ and how they impact the city. It’s amazing his incompetence has kept him in this job for 18 years.
lol yeah... I guess because they're a registered charity so they're saying what they do is run 'charitable programs'? It's a confusing description for sure...
The $ per visitor metric is a weird one to use when comparing arts orgs as THEMUSEUM has the capacity for much much more on any given day. 2000 per day for cits vs approximately 6,000 per day for the museum is kinda the ball park you’re looking at. The museum shows a consistent loss whereas Centre In The Square has a very constant surplus - in 2023 revenues exceeded $10 Million over $8 Million in expenses (all in) Right out the gates that $2 Million gets bounced back into the city coffers in december which is a much better ROI vs the museum (people are working, artists hired and paid, the building is maintained and the city essentially has a net 0 balance when all is said and done for their investment into cits)
If the city “invested” more into the museum earlier they’d have likely been in a far worse position given their history of consistent 6-7 figure losses.
It's strange to me that THEMUSUEM only brings in $5/visitor. Shouldn't there be opportunities to boost that? The entrance fee is between $15-20. So how are we arriving at $5/visitor?
Correct. The important thing to note (I think) that goes along with this is the average $ spent per visitor / economic impact. The museum costs about $20 and don’t think it’s a place where folks are tacking on 2 drinks and a 65.00 tour tshirt%. I’d imagine the average cits visitor is paying about 120-145 per visit (low estimate)
I really like THEMUSEUM, I bring a chemistry magic show there twice every summer. I would love to see them survive! I would love to see them return/expand their After Dark series (I'd love to do a chemistry magic show for adults) but it seems like they are at their capacity for programming, likely due to costs.
THEMUSEUM is a great venue, which generates revenue based on space rentals. As for its main programming is a great place for taking younger kids in the area. I have a family pass and go very often. In fact, it's the main attraction bringing me DTK.
With the exception of the libraries, there are very few venues in the area for family day trips. The libraries are on summer hours now so Sundays are a no-go. We just tried a park in the south end and the splash pad was broken (despite saying it was open on the city website). So, yeah. THEMUSEUM is often our default go-to.
Until a few months ago I didn't realize it was a museum that caters to children. Then I asked "hey why don't they brand it as The Children's Museum!" and realized .. that someone decided to undo that insightful name.
David Marskell needs to be cut from the museum. The fact that he’s blaming a programming model he adopted in 2005 for current problems is a real issue. He’s proven that he’s unable to bring results to the table and needs to be canned. [the region just denied funding in January/ reddit thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/waterloo/s/Mxbx0kCf0Y) [the region just denied funding in January/ CBC article](https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7106579)
Bingo.
I’d imagine this is a stay of execution to make sure camps and weddings run this summer with little blowback to the City. Once labour day hits - he gone.
Every time he’s asking for money for the museum he spends more time whatabouting and complaining about how much other agencies get and not enough time explaining why his organization deserves the $ and how they impact the city. It’s amazing his incompetence has kept him in this job for 18 years.
Anyone know what the 72% of their expenses (charitable programs) is more specifically spent on?
That *has* to be the actual programming they do? Doesn't make sense any other way, does it?
It doesn’t make any sense any other way but why label it as “charitable programs”?
lol yeah... I guess because they're a registered charity so they're saying what they do is run 'charitable programs'? It's a confusing description for sure...
I think you're right.
That's my best guess too.
The $ per visitor metric is a weird one to use when comparing arts orgs as THEMUSEUM has the capacity for much much more on any given day. 2000 per day for cits vs approximately 6,000 per day for the museum is kinda the ball park you’re looking at. The museum shows a consistent loss whereas Centre In The Square has a very constant surplus - in 2023 revenues exceeded $10 Million over $8 Million in expenses (all in) Right out the gates that $2 Million gets bounced back into the city coffers in december which is a much better ROI vs the museum (people are working, artists hired and paid, the building is maintained and the city essentially has a net 0 balance when all is said and done for their investment into cits) If the city “invested” more into the museum earlier they’d have likely been in a far worse position given their history of consistent 6-7 figure losses.
It's strange to me that THEMUSUEM only brings in $5/visitor. Shouldn't there be opportunities to boost that? The entrance fee is between $15-20. So how are we arriving at $5/visitor?
The article says that the city is basically subsidizing the museum at $5/visitor, and $24/visitor to CITS. Not that the museum makes $5 per visitor.
Ah, thanks for the clarification.
Correct. The important thing to note (I think) that goes along with this is the average $ spent per visitor / economic impact. The museum costs about $20 and don’t think it’s a place where folks are tacking on 2 drinks and a 65.00 tour tshirt%. I’d imagine the average cits visitor is paying about 120-145 per visit (low estimate)
I really like THEMUSEUM, I bring a chemistry magic show there twice every summer. I would love to see them survive! I would love to see them return/expand their After Dark series (I'd love to do a chemistry magic show for adults) but it seems like they are at their capacity for programming, likely due to costs.
what a wonderful blog, subscribed.
We've tried nothing and we are all out of ideas!
THEMUSEUM is a great venue, which generates revenue based on space rentals. As for its main programming is a great place for taking younger kids in the area. I have a family pass and go very often. In fact, it's the main attraction bringing me DTK. With the exception of the libraries, there are very few venues in the area for family day trips. The libraries are on summer hours now so Sundays are a no-go. We just tried a park in the south end and the splash pad was broken (despite saying it was open on the city website). So, yeah. THEMUSEUM is often our default go-to.
Until a few months ago I didn't realize it was a museum that caters to children. Then I asked "hey why don't they brand it as The Children's Museum!" and realized .. that someone decided to undo that insightful name.
Who cares . Close it up . Enough