Abstract:
This paper is based on research undertaken by the University of Technology, Sydney
with partner museums in Sydney and Canberra. It outlines the context of change
heralded by recent government reports, which have an impact on the future
sustainability for museums and other cultural institutions. Within this context of
change, the research identifies the limitations of these reports and how an
entrepreneurial arts leader can respond appropriately. Further it identifies some of the
major challenges facing museums where demand for products and services appears to
be diminishing and the competition for leisure time and money appears to be ever
increasing. Adopting business practices may be imperative, but equally imperative is
the ability to sustain core functions while developing a deeper understanding of the
motivation for museum visitation and avoidance and leisure choice.
