U.S. museums draw more than 850 million visitors each year, but not this year. And a recent survey suggests one-third may not survive the COVID-19 pandemic. NPR reports 33% of 760 directors surveyed said their museum was either at “significant risk” of permanently closing by next Fall or they just didn’t know.
One-third of museum directors recently surveyed said there was a "significant risk" of permanently closing—or that they don't know if their institutions will survive.
Respondents ranged from history and art museums to botanical gardens to science centers.https://t.co/47OMVNO6UP
— NPR (@NPR) July 22, 2020
The survey released Wednesday included art museums, aquariums, botanical gardens, and science centers. More than 40% were history centers. Museums account for 760,000 direct and indirect jobs and a $50 billion annual economic contribution. 40% of institutions able to reopen still expect to reduce staff.