ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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William's point is spot on. Our actual cost per visitor is almost twice our entry charge. Opposite our entry counter we have a pie chart which shows where our income comes from and the matching expenditure. This makes the task for front of house staff much easier when we encounter the rare visitor who questions the entry fee. It also helps make the case for donation-sponsorship.

Glen
Sent from my iPhone

On 19/07/2013, at 1:12 AM, "William Katzman" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> One other form of explanation may include how your fees actually don't pay for the entire trip.  Most science centers charge an admission rate that is significantly lower than what it actually costs to run the place for the visitor (this is due to generous donors and grants of course).  So if you take your yearly budget and divide by the annual number of contacts you can get close to a true per contact cost.  See how that compares with your admission rate and you might be able to say that "In order to run this place actually costs us ____ times what we charge for admission. Luckily, generous donors have defrayed the cost so you and your family get this at a rate that is more affordable.  If we didn't have donors and we just charged for kids the cost would be ___ in order for us to keep our doors open."  
> 
> On the other hand science centers have varying policies - from reduced rates for adults (or occasionally free) to increased rates for adults (reduced rates for children).  All in all though you have to balance the budget somehow, and how you do that often depends on how your populace reacts to your fees.
> 
> -William
> 
> 
> 
> William Katzman                            Program Leader
> [log in to unmask]                LIGO Science Education Center
> 225-686-3134                            "Inspiring Science"
>        
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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