The Ars Electronica Center: Bottom-Line Success
The Ars Electronica Center can look back on a successful year in 2003. The operating results were positive, and the numbers for the first half of 2004 show continuing solid economic growth. The results of a recently conducted survey as well as rising attendance figures reflect a high level of satisfaction with the Museum of the Future’s offerings.
2003 Result
“A strong bottom line, one that we can be proud of,” is how Dr. Erich Watzl, vice-mayor of Linz and city councilman in charge of cultural affairs, summed up the Ars Electronica Center’s operating results for last year. This positive picture emerged from the presentation of the 2003 financial statements at the latest meeting of the institution’s Board of Directors.
The upward trend is continuing in 2004. The Ars Electronica Center debuted as solo producer of the Prix Ars Electronica this year. The ORF continues as co-organizer of the prize competition but has given up day-to-day line production tasks to concentrate on its core area of competence as media partner. Thanks to increased gross revenues and strong growth in contributions from sponsors, the Ars Electronica Center can also report excellent results for the first half of 2004.
Attendance rose steadily during the past 12 months and continually exceeded corresponding numbers from the previous year.
Visitor Survey
A survey conducted in September and October 2003 yielded some interesting conclusions about the demographics and satisfaction of visitors to the Museum of the Future. A high proportion of visitors come from the region surrounding Linz, with two thirds of all respondents coming from the Province of Upper Austria. More than 40% of those questioned had already visited the Ars Electronica Center more than once, and 50.3% came on the recommendation of other satisfied visitors. The proportion of visitors who were not high school graduates was 45.1%—an indication that the Ars Electronica Center is not just geared for expert audiences, but also offers a balanced program for all age groups and segments of the population.
Here, a rundown of the most important results:
88.9% of the visitors were very satisfied or satisfied
90.1% of the visitors would recommend the AEC to their acquaintances and friends
90.5% of the visitors were very satisfied or satisfied with the Infotrainers’ competence
93.1% of the visitors were very satisfied or satisfied with the Infotrainers’ friendliness
2/3 of the visitors come from Linz and Upper Austria
In summary, the Ars Electronica Center can be characterized as a museum for all strata of society, as a facility with strong regional roots, and one that elicits a high degree of visitor satisfaction.
Ongoing Projects
The Ars Electronica Center continues to pursue a broad spectrum of activities on regional, national and international levels. Intensive preparations are currently underway for Ars Electronica’s 25th anniversary. This year’s festival has been extended by two days and the program expanded to include many special features and events. Ars Electronica made a strong impact in New York between May and July 2004 with a series of exhibitions and the awards ceremony in the new Digital Communities category. Numerous cooperative projects such as those in conjunction with RIO (Regional Innovation System – Upper Austria) underscore the attractiveness of the Ars Electronica Futurelab as a partner for innovation with the private sector. And in August, the Museum of the Future will be launching “Hit Vacation – The Song Academy in the Ars Electronica Center,” another exciting and innovative series of events targeting regional audiences.
For further enquiries, please contact
Wolfgang Bednarzek MAS
Press Officer, Ars Electronica
Ars Electronica Center Linz
Museumsgesellschaft mbH
Hauptstraße 2, 4040 Linz, Austria
Tel ++43.732.7272-38
Fax ++43.732.7272-638
E-mail: wolfgang.bednarzek@aec.at
http://www.aec.at/press
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