[Nhcoll-l] More on the gauntlet

[Bryant, James]

Thank you, Beth, for your reasoned and thorough response. Critics focusing on these issues should keep in mind what is being "sold" as well as what is being "bought". Indeed, it brings to mind how  - in a previous presidential administration -  selling naming rights was considered as a potential way to raise support for the National Parks.

As a large number of museums in many disciplines have engaged in a heated competition for the private dollar, they have adopted (and rewarded) some of the fund raising methods employed by development and sports promoters, and it seems as if there was no attention given to the risk involved. As the Great Recession should have taught everyone, there is no such thing as making money without risk.

James M. Bryant
Curator of Natural History
Museum Depart., City of Riverside
3580 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501
TEL: 951-826-5273
FAX: 951-369-4970
jbryant at riversideca.gov  

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From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Merritt
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2015 8:36 AM
To: 'NHCOLL-new'
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] More on the gauntlet

Here is my blog post in response to the open letter
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__futureofmuseums.blogspot.com_2015_03_what-2Ddo-2Dethical-2Dconsumers-2Dexpect-2Dof.html&d=AwIFAg&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=KYvAEr6jnqRcCIlib7THKOgHqqvxueVHDK66Xccvz0M&s=9GUgWUyiYaPzwVRt10xsoP-KnXRCs9MXihHRAFQA1Tc&e= . Chris Norris wrote a very thoughtful response on Prerogative of Harlots, as well.

Elizabeth Merritt 
Founding Director, Center for the Future of Museums
American Alliance of Museums