Hi folks.
Glad to see so much conversation on this thread!
Just a couple of clarifications. First, we receive approximately 60 per cent of our funding from Government. To cover basic operations, we have to make up the remaining 40 per cent through admissions, donations, sponsorship, etc.
Admission by donation week is really our way of including the whole community – we want those who couldn’t otherwise afford to visit to do so, but we also gently ask that those who can contribute, do the best they can.
Also, you’re probably aware that the Royal BC Museum is much more than the collections on permanent display. We steward the biggest collection in Canada - over 7 million artifacts and specimens. The records in the BC Archives would stretch 32 km if filed end-to-end! Your support funds scientific research, the publication of scholarly books, assistance to researchers from around the world, and learning programs for adults and kids alike; in fact we host 35,000 school kids each year for free. Your admission fees (and donations) help make these opportunities possible.