The Museum Inc: Public Culture and the Sponsor

Abstract

In a climate of economic restraint, governments are placing increasing pressure on museums to raise money from non-budget sources. Sponsorship of exhibitions and museum spaces is one of the major new sources of revenue for museums, but there are hidden and uncounted costs in the transaction with the sponsor. Politics and corporate interests are changing the relationship between government, the museum and the public, with many consequences for the work of the museum. Sponsorship is occurring in an ethical and policy vacuum which poses threats to the independence of our museums, the integrity of their work, and the public's interest.