| Glenbow Museum forecasts cash shortfall
The Glenbow Museum is being forced to find ways to deal with a projected $1-million shortfall in its next budget year, due mostly to a slow economy.
Museum president Mike Robinson says investments of the museum’s endowment fund are, like the rest of the market, performing more modestly than in the past. That, combined with stagnant funding from the provincial government, is forcing the museum to look for ways to make up that shortfall.
"When I look out on the next year, it isn’t going to be as good as this year," Robinson says.
"All of the museums and galleries I know of are running into the same thing."
So far, Robinson says the museum has held off filling some vacant staff positions to save money, and is looking at other options.
"We’re working with our union for the first time to come up with creative solutions," Robinson says. "What are the options? I’d love to hear some. It’s the nature of the beast in these times."
Karin Richardson, the acting president of the Canadian Union of Provincial Employees local 1645, which represents museum workers, says talks between the union and museum management are focusing on ways to cut costs without layoffs.
"The museum’s collections, our ongoing exhibit and education programs and our ability to meet public expectations are at grave risk with further staff reductions," Richardson says. "We are taking a pro-active stance to save museum services."
Many other museums in Canada and the United States are facing similar shortcomings because of the faltering economy.
The Glenbow Museum is one of the most financially independent in North America – only about one-third of its revenue comes from government – but Robinson says that independence tends to make it more susceptible to market fluctuations.
He’s also quick to add that the museum has never run an operating deficit. He says all options to deal with the shortfall will be explored. |
