Opinion
Museum battles through cutbacks
THE ISSUE :State funding cuts for the Grissom Air Museum.
OUR VIEW :Kudos to its board for keeping the facility open.
While the loss of more than $65,000 in funding would force many small museums to take a hard look at their future, the Grissom Air Museum and its board of directors are preparing to battle through 2010.
The 26-year-old museum at the U.S. 31 entrance to the Grissom Aeroplex recently learned that nearly $70,000 it was to receive in state funding had been eliminated as a result of budget cuts brought about by the substantial drop in state revenues since the biennial budget was approved in June.
The site had been recognized as an affiliate of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.
While the museum’s board expected further cuts in funding, board chairman Ron Myers described the loss of all state funding as a “serious financial blow.”
Yet, the board of directors says the museum will open as scheduled on March 2 and remain open through its normal season before its annual winter closing in December.
That’s because, in addition to taxpayer dollars, the museum sells memberships and is a 501(c)(3) organization, which allows donors to claim the fullest tax exemption allowed. Admissions, special events and gift store sales help form the majority of the museum’s funding.
Grissom Air Museum exhibits 25 aircraft from World War II to the Gulf War outside on its grounds and offers numerous exhibits inside the museum dealing with aircraft.
While the board of directors and museum members will be forced to structure the museum’s finances due to the state cuts, they should be commended and supported in their efforts to keep the museum open and a destination for tourists.
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