To all of you in The Works Museum community:
I can’t even believe how quickly the events of the last weeks have transpired and the incredible impact COVID-19 has had on us all.
Each of you – each child, parent, grandparent, educator, volunteer, and supporter – means a great deal to me. You are the reason we exist – the reason we work so hard to create amazing engineering experiences that inspire and engage. In normal circumstances, our museum would currently be full of spring break visitors: campers, field trip groups, and families, all exploring the amazing world of engineering together. How I wish these were normal circumstances.
This is our busiest time of year, and our revenue loss from visitor and event admissions, school group workshops, and birthday parties is significant. As a result, I have had to take immediate steps to preserve the organization, including temporarily laying off 70% of our staff and reducing hours and salaries for the employees retained to continue supporting our public and education communities and to prepare to quickly resume programming once we reopen. Taking these steps now will help to maintain financial viability in order to be able to reopen once it is safe to do so.
Now, more than ever, our mission to inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, and creative problem solvers is absolutely critical. Today’s best minds and critical thinkers are diligently working on addressing the COVID-19 global crisis. At The Works Museum, we ensure that tomorrow’s best minds are inspired by the possibilities of STEM and the many ways engineers and scientists make our world a better and safer place.
Many of you are facing the same uncertainty and economic challenges in your own households and workplaces. I understand that and ask for your support in whatever way makes sense for your own personal situation – whether that’s engaging in our online community and sharing your personal stories about why The Works Museum matters to you, renewing your membership, or if you are able, making a gift.
I’m so proud of all that we’ve built for you and with you here at The Works Museum. Our community is strong, persistent, and resilient. We’ll get through this crisis together.
Sincerely,
Jill Measells
CEO, The Works Museum
