museums

Free Entry, Priceless Perks: 8 Innovative Benefits Cost-Free Museums Can Offer Members

In an era where cost-free museums are becoming increasingly popular, retaining and growing membership has emerged as a crucial challenge. While the primary draw for many museum-goers is undoubtedly the free admission, museums must now go above and beyond to offer additional attractive perks that draw in new members and keep existing ones engaged. In this blog, we delve into eight compelling benefits that free museums can offer their patrons to enhance their membership experience. From exclusive exhibition entries, unique store discounts, reciprocal memberships, to the latest trend of exclusive subscriptions, these perks are designed to elevate the museum experience, foster loyalty, unlock new revenue streams, and drive membership growth.

Join us as we unravel these benefits and their impacts on shaping a new era of membership for free museums!

How 21 Museums & Cultural Organizations engaged with NFTs in 2021

While there is still uncertainty, how are cultural organizations approaching NFTs, and what might they mean for the future?

At this point, many institutions are offering programming and engagement opportunities to help educate audiences on this new phenomenon. Other organizations, still suffering from two years of pandemic slump, have used NFTs as a way to generate buzz and revenue through the sale of digital assets. Lastly, several museums have begun acquiring NFTs for display within their collections.

With this in mind, let’s dive into some examples of how museums are starting to navigate the world of NFTs in order to educate the public, create new revenue streams, and engage their audiences.

Tips & Strategies for Reopening Museums After COVID-19 Closures

As museums make the transition to reopening, many organizations are looking for guidance on what this process will look like, what policies they should enact to ensure the safety of their staff and visitors, and how to facilitate a gradual reopening.

Whether you’re an art or history museum, children’s museum, science center, aquarium, zoo, botanical garden, or nature center will affect what specific policies and guidelines you follow, since every organization is facing different challenges. Some organizations may already be in the process of reopening, while others may be planning for a “soft reopening” months from now.

Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to reopening, the following guidelines offer up some of the best practices for museums and cultural organizations as they begin to plan and execute smooth and safe transitions into reopening.

Cuseum’s 2019 Year in Review

It’s been an extraordinary year at Cuseum, and we are filled with momentum as we head towards 2020. Between new partnerships, exciting additions to the Cuseum family, launching our third product, and sharing our vision all around the globe, 2019 marks the best year in our company's history.

Introducing Guest Pass Referral by Cuseum

Increasing attendance, membership, and visibility are some of the top priorities across the cultural space. To date, there’s been no easy and cost-effective solution that empowers organizations to leverage the networks of their most dedicated supporters to address these goals. Your constituents have valuable connections with the potential to elevate your organization – if only there were an easy way to tap into them. 

Small But Mighty: How Small Museums are Achieving Big Success in Digital

Technology is a powerful storytelling vessel, and museums large and small are jumping aboard the tech-wave to communicate their stories and educational content. But, there is a common misconception that innovative digital solutions are exclusively reserved for the big and mighty – that is, organizations willing and able to invest tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars into the development and implementation of, say, a new app, or digital experience. We’re here to debunk this myth. Here, we’ll highlight just how museums with tight budgets and small staffs have worked with Cuseum to develop sustainable, creative, digital solutions to drive visitor engagement as well as cut costs, save time with their membership programs.

Museopreneur: How Museums are Leaping into New Business Models with Entrepreneurial Spirit

mu·se·o·pre·neur | myüzē-äp(r)ə-ˈnər

Noun: one who embraces or assumes characteristics of an entrepreneur to advance their museum’s business model and general operations.

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Museums at the Crossroads: the Role of Corporate Partnerships

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Our very own CEO, Brendan Ciecko, was tapped for insights for the report, Museums at the Crossroads: the Role of Corporate Partnerships, published by international PR group Grayling.

In Conversation at MuseumNext: Startups & Accelerators in the Cultural Sector

If you couldn’t make it to MuseumNext 2017, don’t worry, we have the next best thing! Brendan Ciecko, Cuseum’s CEO & Founder spoke with Rick Turoczy, Co-Founder of Portland Incubator Experiment (PIE) in a session focusing on Startups & Accelerators in the Cultural Sector. Read on to relive the MuseumNext conversation, and learn how museums and cultural institutions could benefit from adopting startup mentalities!

Cuseum CEO to Speak at Communicating the Museum 2017

We’re thrilled to announce that Brendan Ciecko, Cuseum’s CEO & Founder, will be speaking at Communicating the Museum 2017! Held in Los Angeles from November 6-9, the conference will explore the idea of “Museums Beyond Walls.”

Cuseum Launches “Ink For The Arts” to Bolster Efforts to Save Arts Funding

Cuseum announced today, Ink For The Arts, a new initiative to unite people in the fight against the elimination of federal arts programs. The campaign comes in reaction to the on-going threats to cut funding for the arts, which would put the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and other programs at risk.

How Your Museum Can Benefit From Reciprocal Membership Programs

Increased access to museums for members and more revenue for your institution? Sign us up! Reciprocal associations are a win-win for both the cultural institution and their members, and they can offer your institution or organization an incredible variety of benefits. So if you still have some questions about reciprocal programs, we have answers!

Tips for Choosing a CRM for Your Museum or Organization

The private sector has long employed customer relationship management (CRM) software, but today, more and more, nonprofits, museums, and other organizations are recognizing the power of having a CRM. There are many options to look at when deciding which CRM to use as each solution employs a different focus, set of features, and cost to consider.

Top 6 Benefits to Offer Your Members When Your Museum is Free

Free admission is frequently cited as the top benefit of museum membership. But, if your museum is free to all visitors, what other benefits can you offer to entice and acquire new members?

7 Things Your Museum or Nonprofit Needs to Know About Gen Z

Who is Generation Z? The next generation in line to rule the world, Gen Z is comprised of those born after 1998, the eldest of which are finishing up high school or entering college. We’ve compiled a list of 7 things that will help your organization better understand this new generation.

5 Ways to Improve Your Museum & Nonprofit Membership Process

Uncovering ways to boost membership is vital for museums and non-profit organizations. In order to survive, grow, and thrive, as well as continue to fulfill its mission, your organization needs to find innovative ways to attract new members and retain existing ones. Here are five trends to keep your eyes on!

Dreamland Wax Museum Launches New App to Bring Their Figures to Life

We’re proud to announce that Dreamland Wax Museum, which opened in Boston this summer, has joined the Cuseum family with the launch of their new mobile guide! While most wax museums are traditionally a static experience, Dreamland’s new app will allow visitors to hear the voices and stories of their favorite celebrities, politicians, and historical figures.

Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute Launches Mobile App

Please join us in welcoming the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute who launched their mobile app with Cuseum! The app will provide a “rich multimedia experience,” including unique tours of both temporary exhibitions and permanent collections.

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