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Alaska Museums Surveys and Data

Data gathered from museums surveyed around Alaska during 1984, 2000, 2010, and 2020.

Question 1: Museum Types

What type of museum best describes you?
  % of Museums # of Museums
Alaska or Local History 52.46% 32
Ethnographic (Anthropological/Native Alaskan Collections) 11.48% 7
Natural History/Wildlife 6.56% 4
Art 0.00% 0
Cultural Center 6.56% 4
Historic House or Building 6.56% 4
Historic Park 4.92% 3
Local Display Facility 1.64% 1
Other 9.84% 6

Question 2: Non-profits

Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution?
  % of Museums # of Museums
Yes 72.41% 42
No 27.59% 16

Question 24: Governance

Please check the most appropriate answers (concerning the governance of the museum).
  City or Borough Board of Trustees for Non-Profit Organization For-Profit Organization Tribal Organization Federal Government State of Alaska
Who governs your museum?

13.11% (8)

65.57% (40) 3.28% (2) 4.92% (3) 6.56% (4) 6.56% (4)
Who owns your collection? 22.03% (13) 54.24% (32) 5.08% (3) 10.17% (6) 6.78% (4) 6.78% (4)
Who owns your building? 44.07% (26) 28.81% (17) 6.78% (4) 6.78% (4) 10.17% (6) 6.78% (4)
Who maintains your building? 40.00% (24) 36.67% (22) 6.67% (4) 6.67% (4) 8.33% (5) 6.67% (4)
Who pays staff salaries? 19.64% (11) 58.93% (33) 3.57% (5) 5.36% (3) 7.14% (6) 7.14% (4)

Question 3: Year Established

60 museums responded with years between 1887-2008.

What year was your institution established?
Respondent ID Year
1 1990
2 1972
3 1929
4 1910
5 1900
6 1958
7 1992
8 1996
9 1986
10 1910
11 1986
12 1968
13 1978
14 1962
15 2005
16 2008
17 1967
18 1967
19 2002
20 1991
21 1976
22 1998
23 1962
24 1976
25 2002
26 1967
27 1939
28 1997
29 1967
30 1967
31 1964
32 1887
33 1986
34 1994
35 1961
36 1918
37 2008
38 1987
39 1986
40 1976
41 1992
42 1995
43 1968
44 2000
45 1992
46 1976
47 Early 1940's
48 1984
49 2008
50 2005
51 1998
52 1967
53 1965
54 1995
55 1999
56 1994
57 1954
58 1965
59 2003
60 1969

Question 4: Open Hours

When is your museum open to the public?
  % of Museums # of Museums
Year round - consistent hours 20.00% 12
Year round with seasonal hours 48.33% 29
Spring/Summer only 11.67% 7
Fall/Winter only 0.00% 0
Spring/Summer/Fall 16.67% 10
Weekends only 0.00% 0
By appointment 3.33% 2

Question 8: Gift Shop

Does your museum have a gift shop?
  % of Museums # of Museums
Yes 81.67% 49
No 18.33% 11

Question 13: Days Open (Annually)

Approximately how many days per year is your museum open to the public?
  % of Museums # of Museums
By Appointment Only 1.64% 1
1-50 1.64% 1
50-100 3.28% 2
100-150 21.31% 13
150-200 9.84% 6
200-250 6.56% 4
250-300 22.95% 14
300+ 32.79% 20

Question 37: Online Presence

 
Does your museum use or maintain a…
  Yes
(% and # of museums)
No
(% and # of museums)
Website? 82.26% (51) 17.74% (11)
Twitter account? 16.67% (10) 83.33% (50)
Facebook or Myspace page? 34.43% (21) 65.57% (40)
Blog? 11.67% (7) 88.33% (53)
Podcast? 3.33% (2) 96.67% (58)