Museum Membership Innovation

Cultural organizations are entering an era of significant challenges. Rising operating costs, unpredictable funding sources, stagnant membership, and an increasingly competitive landscape for leisure activities indicate that these institutions have reached a critical juncture: what has worked for them in the past will not work going forward. At the same time, massive shifts in demographics and lifestyles are driving changes in consumer behavior that threaten the survival of the traditional membership business model. Drawing from a wide range of research spanning the disciplines of behavioral economics, philanthropy, and social psychology, author and museum consultant Rosie Siemer explores the trends shaping the future of cultural organizations and offers innovative strategies designed to help them survive—and thrive—in today’s rapidly changing marketplace. Using museums as the primary subject matter of her research, Siemer analyzes the challenges and opportunities for membership as a means of engaging existing members, cultivating new audiences, and keeping museums on track for sustainable revenue. Tapping into the principles of design thinking and the lean startup methodology, Siemer provides a fresh perspective into how museum leaders can adapt systems, roles, and metrics to encourage experimentation, collaboration, and agility within their organizations. “Change is required for museums to keep ahead of the curve and remain competitive,” Siemer writes. “Thankfully, the time for taking steps to evolve has never been better. New research, bold experiments, and pioneering leaders have helped to usher in an era of fresh thinking that challenges the status quo of the traditional membership model.” Loaded with thought-provoking insights, innovative case studies, and practical applications for audience development, marketing, and membership, Museum Membership Innovation offers museum leaders a framework for reimagining membership with an empathy-first approach that prioritizes the needs of audiences.