New York State Museum Study Now Available

The New York Study of Public and Private Museums—the first comprehensive statewide study of New York's museum sector—is now available.

Prepared by Wilkening Consulting for Empire State Development, the Study identified nearly 1,200 chartered museums across New York.  

MANY is proud to announce the publication of this resource in partnership with legislator Didi Barrett 

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Together, they - MANY's members -  welcome more than 47 million visitors annually, employ more than 33,000 people, engage more than 50,000 volunteers, and serve nearly 3 million K–12 students through field trips each year.  Some 96% of New Yorkers consider museums educational assets in their communities, and museums rank alongside public libraries as New Yorkers' most trusted public sources of information.

[Read the New York Study of Public and Private Museums]

The Study documents the significant challenges museums across the state face.  The data shows: 

• Fifty-seven percent of museums in New York State operate on less than $100,000 annually, 

• 60% have no full-time employees, 

• and one-third rely entirely on volunteers.  

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

The Study represents years of advocacy by The Museum Association of New York, museum professionals, and legislative partners.  In 2022, the New York State Legislature passed the Museum Study Act, championed by Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Jeremy Cooney.  The 2023–24 New York State Budget subsequently included $1 million to undertake the Study.  We are proud to announce the study with Assemblymember Barrett. [LINK] 

Completing this work required sustained attention through a period of profound instability.  In spring 2025, sudden federal funding cuts disrupted museums and cultural organizations across New York. The need in our communities had not diminished—only the resources available to meet it.  The small, community-rooted, and already under-resourced museums the Study was designed to identify and better understand were among those most vulnerable to these losses. 

Even as MANY navigated this wider upheaval and significant disruption within the organization itself, we continued working with state leaders and project partners to support the Study's completion and preserve its promise as a resource for the field.  Museums committed time and resources to continue providing meaningful responses to ensure wide and accurate representation, 

The resulting report establishes an essential statewide baseline.  It offers recommendations to make funding more accessible, expand facilities and preservation support, increase access to professional development and technical assistance, and address the distinct needs of small and volunteer-run museums.

Publication is not the conclusion of this work.  As the 2027 legislative session approaches, MANY will work with members and partners to translate the findings into stronger public policy, more equitable investment, and practical systems of support.  We will also help museums use the data in their own planning, advocacy, and conversations with elected officials, funders, trustees, and community partners. 

New York's museums are among the state's greatest strengths.  This Study makes their contributions visible, documents the challenges they face, and gives us a shared foundation for action.

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[Read the full Study]