As the Arizona legislature deliberates on how much, if at all, to fund the arts this fiscal year, arts organizations have spent the past year trying to stay afloat.
“Our regular earned revenue is down 90%,” Kate Wells, CEO of the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, said.
Wells’ staff at the museum has also shrunk from 110 employees to 13 since shutting its doors in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The museum transformed its parking lot into an outdoor playground called Adventure Play in November, but that doesn t make up the difference.
“We re losing money being open but it s so important for us to continue to serve our mission and families so desperately need us to. They need to get out of the house, get the kids out from in front of the computers, do hands-on activities and see other children,” Wells said.