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Monday, September 22, 2008
Balloon Museum Lifts City Pride, Reputation
By Tom Levine
Director, Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation
Albuquerque is the ballooning capital of the world. To complement the successful 10-day International Balloon Fiesta, we have a world class Balloon Museum that tells the story 52 weeks a year. We have a lot to celebrate about the sport of ballooning and the livelihoods that have made lighter than air craft memorable.
The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is the only museum of its kind. There are collections on display that provide a smaller and more specific approach, but none compare to the magnitude of the Balloon Museum. That just isn't empty talk; it is the sentiment shared by Tom Crouch, the curator of exhibits at the National Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
Occasionally, there has been more focus on heating and ventilation system issues at the museum and mischaracterizations of its contents than on the world-class exhibits inside. We appreciate critical thought because it reminds us we can never take this great public trust for granted. At the same time, we want to make sure the debate and discussion is factual and placed into perspective.
Many years ago, before the first shovel of dirt was turned, the Balloon Museum was to be a part of a cultural corridor that included two museums and other significant amenities to make the area a destination. It was announced that the area would attract 200,000 visitors a year. As time passed, plans for the corridor changed so much that the Balloon Museum and a few amenities were the only survivors of the original plan. As a result, the "destination" had become a world class museum with a niche in ballooning.
Today, despite the changes to the approach, that niche museum has the most comprehensive collection of ballooning artifacts in the world. Of the items on display, and in storage, at the Balloon Museum, only 1 percent are replicas, 99 percent are artifacts. Even though attendance is far from that envisioned in the days of the cultural corridor, it continues to increase each year.
Prior to the museum opening, The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation raised over $3 million in private funding to complete the exhibits. Since the opening of the museum, more than $2 million has been put toward the museum, thanks to private and state funding. The foundation remains committed to raising funds for growing the exhibit program, marketing and advertising both locally and nationally as well supporting the many other programs that positively impact the community's youth.
Attendance numbers continue to climb. More than 62,000 people have visited the museum this year; a 27 percent increase from 2007. Even before the latest scrutiny of our energy bills, we were already addressing ways to reduce high heating and cooling costs. We've already requested funding for an HVAC Tracer System, which over the long term is expected to result in cost savings via more efficient control of utility usage.
The balloon museum is a great option for New Mexicans, on so many levels. It has already become a popular destination for field trips and youth programs, including Summer Balloon Camp and the Flying Bus program (an outreach to Title 1 schools in Bernalillo County). It is a fabulous venue for events of all sorts and not to mention that it is indisputably one of the best spots in Albuquerque to observe the balloons off-site during the Balloon Fiesta.
The fiesta started as a radio station promotion and 13 balloons at Coronado Center. It started slow, but became an international showcase now entering its 37th year.
Similarly, not everyone knows there is a Balloon Museum. In fact, there are likely more people outside of New Mexico who are aware of this treasure than those in the Albuquerque area. And that's OK for now. It is an opportunity for residents to take the time to see and experience what this museum really has to offer.
We have the largest collection of artifacts in the world related to ballooning and we offer them in creative and educational ways.
People come from all over the world to celebrate the strides that Albuquerque has accomplished in the ballooning world. As locals we are lucky and can celebrate without traveling far from home. The museum is on its way to becoming a staple in Albuquerque; I would just like to see that happen sooner than later.
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