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October 23,

I wish I'd seen this two weeks ago...
added: 10-23-2003 07:00:04PM | link | comments: 0

before it was archived. MoSex has run into some level of revenue problems as it nears its first anniversary. This, despite strong attendance and media coverage during its opening month, a monthly roster of interesting speakers, and even a wedding. I know that early on, the attendance numbers exeeded estimates during the first quarter of its existence, so I can only think that attendance has fallen flat since then.

Part of the problem lies in its location. According to journalist Steve Kurutz, it's a matter of location (in the Flatiron district next to the Gershwin Hotel and, if I remember correctly, a couple of blocks from Madison Square Park, a safe-enough neighborhood, just not in any kind of museum alley), a small advertising budget (word of mouth, anyone?), and a lack of nonprofit status(remember, it had to be privately funded from dot.com wealth, just to come into existence). That the inaugural exhibit has been extended to run until next spring, when most museum exhibits run between three and six months, is not a good sign.

Then there's the added problem of not being taken seriously within the museum world itself. According to executive director and founder Daniel Gluck, other museums are reluctant to lend works to an institution with such a controversial focus. And even though he's planning for a 2,000 year survey of Chinese erotica, presumably(my assumption)drawing its materials from another sex musuem that's had similar institutional difficulties, one can ask if it will be enough?

Kurutz points out that "the musuem's revenues are a sticking point. Most museums are nonprofit and cover costs through a mix of ticket sales, memberships, donations and earnings on endowments. The Museum of Sex, however, does not have nonprofit status; donations are not tax deductible, and it relies almost exclusively on ticket sales for its money."

Let me suggest that if daytrips to NYC are easy for you, you get there and spend a day at the museum. Or buy some merchandise. Or hit one of its events. Better yet, get a membership. I'm asking for one for Christmas.

Do MoSex!