The New York Study of Public and Private Museums is a sort of ‘census’ of all chartered museums in the state of New York, conducted by Empire State Development, New York State Council on the Arts, New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, New York State Department of State, and New York State Education Department.
The Study will gather comprehensive data from museums to:
Wilkening Consulting, an audience research firm specializing in museums and the informal learning and cultural sectors, is conducting this research.
By collecting the combined data of museums across the state, we can better understand the challenges faced by New York State museums. In other words, by contributing to this effort, you can help policymakers decide what kinds of funding and other support state museums receive in the future.
We’ve set you up for success. We’ve provided links to downloadable worksheets, instructional videos, and even a PDF copy of the survey to help you prepare your responses. If you hit a snag, you can always call or email us. We will provide virtual or even in-person support if needed!
The downloadable worksheets we mentioned include templates and tracking tools that will help you collect data for this effort. But you can also continue using these tools in the future! With data, you can make informed decisions. To access these tools, review our list of resources.
The Study is a comprehensive, statewide research initiative, like a “census” that will gather information on all museums, including zoos, historic sites, botanical gardens, state parks, or any other organization chartered by New York State. No one has ever created a database listing every museum in New York . . . until now!
Empire State Development contracted Wilkening Consulting to conduct the Study. Wilkening Consulting regularly conducts research for organizations in the museum and cultural sectors.
The survey will be open for submissions from April 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025. Your responses to survey questions should reflect data from your organization’s fiscal year 2024. See the survey instructions for details.
The survey includes questions regarding the topics below:
Many questions provide multiple choice responses, while others depend on a written in response.
You can review all of the questions ahead of time in the PDF version of the survey.
The project was commissioned by the State Legislature through statute.
Your museum’s data will help demonstrate the impact museums have in New York State. But it will also help highlight any challenges museums in New York state face. This survey data will be for New York State stakeholders in future advocacy for museums.
Per the scope of the Study, a qualifying museum for the survey should be:
For organizations who do not qualify as a museum per the scope of the Study, you will be informed within the first few questions as to be considerate of your time. For organizations that may be considered museums as defined by this Study but who are paused from completing the survey during these initial screening questions, a representative of the Study will contact you. If it is determined your organization qualifies as a museum, you will be regranted access to the survey.
Sites that are likely to qualify for the Study include:
Below are resources that will help you complete the survey and collect important data moving forward
