The Jersey City Museum’s Future Remains Uncertain

The Hudson Reporter has published a feature story on the Jersey City Museum’s financial problems we reported on in late April. I had problems getting anyone to talk to me, so I wasn’t surprised that it was only after hounding the museum’s Board of Trustee head, Nathan Sambul, that he produced a statement.

We are in the midst of a number of activities and discussions to assure the viability of the Museum…We will keep you informed when we have concrete information to provide.

Basic questions like how much money the museum needs to stay open more than one day a week, how many employees have been laid off, whether a new director will be hired, and how much debt the museum carries remain unanswered.

I wish the trustees and employees were a little more forthcoming about the museum’s problems. It’s a lot easier to find financial support when people have a clear understanding of the issues and goals set forth. The Jersey City museum is currently relying on their upcoming annual community fundraiser ARTrageous in which they hope to raise $90,000 by auctioning off donated art work and soliciting philanthropic donations. But with no staff to run it, I’m not sure how they will meet their nebulous launch date of “June”. Also, who’s going to give to the museum when they won’t even tell us if there’s a plan to keep it open?