The Unkind Results of Irrational Exuberance

Abstract

Like the rest of the country, the museum community has been rocked and reeled by the economic recession. But were there other factors that might have contributed? Were there warning signs in the last few decades that showed the museum community setting itself up for failure? This article examines the logical growth factors that affect most industries and compares them to the museum community to determine if there is a rationale for the recent surge in museum numbers. It examines the rise of museums in America, and how that might ultimately doom a portion of the profession.