Just the day before its grand reopening, the Musée Rodin had to make a difficult decision: to get a bit of money, the institution has decided to sell original works by the artist. Lockdown, total lack of visitors, and closure of borders have been a hard blow for the museum that self-finances just with the ticketing service, the privatization of the place for events, or the sale of reproductions of works.
As a matter of fact, the Musée Rodin is granted no subsidy. It welcomes about 551,000 visitors per year, including 75% foreign tourists, and among them, 25% of Americans. Unfortunately, even though the European borders are gradually reopening, tourists from the other side of the Atlantic are not yet close to return to France.
Interviewed by Les Echos daily, Musée Rodin director Catherine Chevillot explains that before “the health crisis, all of our indicators were green. We hoped to get a 1.4 million profit this year, but it will be a 3 million loss on a budget of 11”. The place also suffers from some legislations preventing it to win money: “until 2014, we created an investment fund that yielded a profit. But since this kind of fund is banned to public places, this source of profit has dried up for us. A paradox as we get no subsidy”.
For now, Catherine Chevillot has decided to sell a few bronzes and she put in touch with contemporary art galleries in France, especially in the area. She also considers selling abroad, in London or New York. Patronship is also considered in order to bail out the establishment lacking income.
To support the Musée Rodin your way, go and visit the museum and give a go to the souvenir store on your way out.
Location
Rodin Museum
77, rue de Varenne
75007 Paris 7
Access
Metro: Varenne (line 13) or Invalides (line 13, line 8) RER: Invalides (line C)
Official website
www.musee-rodin.fr
