FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2026

CONTACT:  Gunnar Wordon (845)-750-3589 / wordong@nyassembly.gov

***Press Release***

Assemblymember Barrett, The Museum Association of New York Announce Museum Study Completion, Need for Additional State Support

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D- Dutchess/Columbia) and The Museum Association of New York (MANY) announced the release of the New York Study of Public and Private Museums, the first comprehensive statewide study of New York's museum sector.  This study shows that New York's nearly 1,200 chartered museums – including art and history museums, children's museums, zoos and aquariums, historic sites and historical societies, and botanical gardens – serve more than 47 million visitors a year. Some 96% of New Yorkers consider museums to be educational assets in their communities, and museums rank among New Yorkers' most trusted public information sources. 

The study, authorized by legislation championed by Assemblymember Barrett, was prepared by Wilkening Consulting for Empire State Development and conducted a comprehensive census of public and private museums across New York State, examining their operating conditions, characteristics, attendance levels, and the challenges they face. 

Museums across the state collectively employ more than 33,000 people, engage more than 50,000 volunteers, welcome nearly 3 million K-12 students on field trips each year, and care for unique collections and facilities that preserve New York's extraordinary history, art, culture, science, and natural heritage.  The findings also challenge assumptions about the scale and resources of New York's museum sector:

•  57% of museums operate on less than $100,000 a year. 

• 60% have no full-time employees.

• One-third rely exclusively on volunteers.

• Collectively, museums report an estimated $1.7 billion in deferred maintenance and preservation needs. 

These findings establish a statewide baseline for understanding and supporting New York's museum sector and make it clear that strengthening New York's museums will require not only additional investment, but systems of support designed around the realities of institutions of different sizes and capacities. 

Explicit recommendations from the authors include:

•  Making funding more accessible to small and volunteer-run museums 

• Expanding capital preservation, and facilities support

• Increasing access to professional development and technical assistance

• Helping museums address collections stewardship, emergency preparedness, accessibility, and long-term planning. 

"When we first called for this study, we knew New York needed a clearer understanding of the museums serving communities across our state," said Assemblymember Barrett.  "Now we have an unprecedented picture of one of New York's great strengths. Our museums are a diverse ecosystem of nearly 1,200 deeply rooted community organizations, sustained by dedicated professionals and volunteers.  New Yorkers have made clear how deeply they value museums in their communities, and now we have the data to understand both the extraordinary role these institutions play and the challenges they face."  

"This is a critical juncture to make investments that ensure museums in every region of our state have the resources they need to continue serving their communities.  This is the first meaningful data following last year's devastating cuts to federal support for arts and culture. We had the foresight to undertake this work and we are now positioned to act. At a consequential moment for museums and cultural institutions across the country, New York has an opportunity to lead." 

"Museums Make New York, New York," said Sarah Van Anden, Executive Director of The Museum Association of New York. "They preserve the histories and collections of our communities, educate millions of children and adults, contribute to local economies, and provide trusted places where New Yorkers learn, encounter new ideas and perspectives, and experience civic and cultural belonging.” 

“This study makes clear that the strength of New York's museum ecosystem extends far beyond our largest and most recognizable institutions. Most of New York's museums are small, local organizations sustained by dedicated staff and volunteers, often working with very limited resources. For the first time, we have a shared statewide picture of this ecosystem's dynamism and what it takes to sustain it.  Our opportunity now is to use that knowledge to bring institutions, policymakers, funders, and communities together around the investment and stronger statewide systems that will allow New York's museums — and the communities they serve — to thrive for generations.”

Assemblymember Barrett and MANY will continue working with the museums, state agencies, policymakers, funders, and other partners to translate the study findings into action, strengthen statewide systems of support, and ensure that museums of every discipline, budget size, and region can continue serving New Yorkers.  

The New York Study of Public and Private Museums, prepared by Wilkening Consulting for Empire State Development, can be found here.