FIRST ON 3: Cameron Art Museum now agrees to turn over budget information

Does the location boggle the mind? It is in the middle of nowhere... for now. That could change with the widening of Independence for the skyway or what ever bridge. Any way, I agree with another poster who stated that the advertising of the museum and its activities is very limited. I lived in this city for 3 or 4 years before I knew that CAM existed. Like poof, there it is.

PS does anyone know why exactly the city is giving them $100,000 a year for 4 years. What is the goal of a private art museum requesting 100,000? I know it is to use the money, but on what, and why aren't they cutting the gen admission price for us the tax payers, who are giving you the money?

There is clearly a lack of direction at CAM. The Museum has done a poor job with outreach and education for the public. No promotion of events, classes, exhibits, etc.

Per guidestar.org, during the art museum's last fiscal cycle available, the executive director received $127,481 in compensatiion. From my experience with nonprofit organizations, this is a bit on the high side for an organization with 3.1 million in revenues. But, it isn't too far past what I've seen execs make. I've seen anywhere from the 75k range up to about $115k.

A nonprofit organization's information return Form 990 (their version of a tax return) is public information. If you request it, they must provide you a copy. Their 990 also states that their "other organization documents" are "publicly available" "upon request." But, it's kind of vague, and doesn't say exactly what information they will release. "Other Documents" can mean anything they want it to mean.

Seeing some earlier articles I was "inspired" to do a little checking. If you go to the IRS website, click on Charities and look under a caption entitled "Publication 78" which lists all charitable organizations to which contributions are tax deductible you will find the "Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum" of Wilmington NC duly listed.

Being a qualified public charitable organization listed as above, this organization would have filed an annual information return called a Form 990 which IS a public record document.

This information, the content of form 990 used to be free, but now you need to subscribe to a data base service called Guidestar to get the information... you can find out about this online too.

What you want to know is a matter of public record signed by the museum under penalty of perjury. It'll just cost someone a couple bucks to buy the subscription to download it.

This should be and elementarily simple answer, "No, not right now!" If the city is looking at a 7 million dollar shortfall, now is not the time to fork over 100 thousand dollars. People are losing jobs, homes, forsaking raises and adjusting. CAM simply will have to do the same!

Now let's expand on "museum" a bit. I just visited this museum and have never in my life been so dissappointed with a display of artwork! That was absolutely pitiful! I have worked in art all of my life, pen and ink, watercolor, oil, clay and metal sculpture. 80% of the displays I saw in there looked as if little children had done them. Quilts, for Gods sake? Who wants to see a display of quilts like that? They appear the same as those at the flea market, except at CAM you have a little guy standing in the corner yelling, "DON'T TOUCH!" There were zero paintings by the Old Masters, there were zero old paintings period and there were no more than five painting that displayed even a hint of artistic ability. Wallhangings were a compilation of lost junk drawer stuff joined with Elmer's glue spattered with krylon spray paint.
Whoever deems this facility as an anchor attraction for this city is full of Pelosi! Anyone with any art background will walk out of there is disbelief, shaking their head. THAT my friends is why the parking lot stays empty. It is embarrassing to call that...an "art" museum and even more embarrassing to call it an "anchor attraction" for our city.

Now, I realize this is MY opinion and I realize that art is vastly subjective, but I challenge anyone to visit CAM, spend 8 dollars for a tour and tell all that it was one heck of a deal!!

Won't happen...the $100,000.00 shouldn't either!

That gives the museum just enough time to try a paper shuffle to hide salaries and other waste. They should ask to see past years budgets as well.

Can't wait to see the salaries of staff at an art museum that hardly anyone visits.

The buiding itself, supposedly industrial style, but more brutal than industrial in its architectural ugliness, is spooky in its emptiness. Few humans to be seen anywhere in the building.

Along with the salaries, could you please print "job" descriptions. I can't imagine what the staff do all day.

As for the janitorial staff, I know their jobs are made easy by the lack of traffic through the building.

Readers, I beg you: Take a ride by Cameron and count the cars in the parking lot. It's a pitiful, desolate sight.