By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-848708.mp3
Buffalo, NY – The economic downturn has hit local cultural institutions pretty hard. But one local cultural institution has found a silver lining to the tough economy. Click the audio player above to hear Joyce Kryszak's full story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.
All the major and minor institutions are hurting - and most are making cuts. But the Buffalo Museum of Science has eked out one bonus to the bad economy. Exhibitors are offering sales, if you will, on those big banner, traveling exhibits.
Those are exhibits such as Body Worlds currently running at the Buffalo Museum of Science. It has been about three years since the museum offered a major traveling exhibit. But Mortenson said they are taking full advantage while the sales last.
Next up are Sesame Street presents the Body in February 2010 and Robotics Dinosaurs in mid-June. At least one other exhibit is being negotiated.
Mortenson said some exhibitors are even offering something called "a revenue share." That means the museum keeps some of the ticket sales. Although he would not say what percentage they are keeping from Body Worlds, he said ahring revenues made the exhibit affordable.
He said it could rival blockbuster shows such as the Albright Knox Art Gallery's Monet exhibit. But, sadly, the art gallery does not get any similar price breaks. A spokesperson for the gallery said they must be the presenter for any traveling exhibit. And that means they bear all the expense of the multi-million dollar shows.