Getting your player ready...
WASHINGTON — Many museums across the country saw a spike in visitors during the economic slump last year, even as they experienced increasing financial stress, according to results of a study released Thursday.
More visitors were opting for affordable “staycations,” rather than expensive trips last year, museum officials reported in a study by the American Association of Museums.
The survey of 481 institutions shows more than 57 percent saw increased attendance in 2009. More than 40 percent saw significant increases ranging from 5 percent to more than 20 percent compared with 2008. Less than a third reported decreasing attendance, and one in 10 said attendance was flat.
