How can museums increase revenue without charging mandatory admission? Andy Povey is joined by Andrew Given, CEO of Queer Britain, who shares how Queer Britain's Pay What You Can model generated more than three times the previous donation income while making the museum more accessible to visitors. The discussion covers fundraising strategies, donor psychology, visitor data, inclusive storytelling, partnerships, and why cultural organisations should embrace experimentation and innovation.
Topics Discussed* The founding story of Queer Britain * Building the UK's national LGBTQ+ museum * Operating without government funding * Diversifying museum income streams * Pay What You Can admission strategy * Tripling visitor donations through voluntary giving * Donor psychology and visitor behavior * Making museums more accessible * Collecting visitor data through online bookings * Using visitor insights to improve experiences * Community engagement and volunteer programs * LGBTQ+ history and cultural preservation * Museum storytelling and exhibitions * Partnerships with major cultural institutions * Innovation in museums and visitor attractions * Lessons for nonprofit fundraising * Sustainable museum business models * Improving the visitor journey * Simplifying online ticket booking * The future of museum innovation
Show references:
Andrew Given - Chief Executive at Queer Britain Museum
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