Museum update: Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit drew new visitors; MOA cites $3.1M local economic impact

Claire Rolfes, board president of the Museum of Architecture (MOA), and Executive Director Lori Winters told the Common Council on Feb. 2 that the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit brought 1,400 new visitors and new memberships to MOA. Rolfes said MOA now has members in 65 of 72 counties and visitors from 43 states, and reported annual attendance across MOA venues of about 345,000.

Rolfes highlighted the museum’s low reported cost per visitor ($7.78 in the presentation) compared with much higher per‑visitor costs at larger institutions and said the museum’s advertising and social media reach together produced millions of impressions for the exhibition. She also reported an estimated economic impact to the community of approximately $3.1 million for the year cited in the presentation.

Council members thanked MOA for the work and for its community partnership. Rolfes closed by previewing upcoming events, including Chalk Fest and other exhibits planned for the year.