The Third Man Museum in Vienna has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the 15-year-old attraction to temporarily close its doors due to health concerns.
Gerhard Strassgschwandtner and Karin Höfler note that the museum relies heavily on tourism for it to tell the story of the classic Carol Reed film starring Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles, as well as life in post-World War II Vienna. Although they hope to reopen in mid June, it is highly unlikely tourists will return in large numbers for the remainder of 2020.
The pair — who built the museum without sponsorship or subsidies — have turned to crowdfunding to help pay the bills while it is shuttered. Donations may be made online through startnext.com/en/third-man-museum
“We want to get the museum over the crisis into the next year,” they said in their appeal. “Then, under normal circumstances, we will be able to run the museum all on our own again as we proved in the past.”
They are seeking to raise €24,000, or about $26,600.
“Every cent will be used to pay the rent, electricity, gas, fees for our assistants and operating costs which are necessary to run the museum in 2020 even with a very low number of visitors,” they said. “An amount of 24,000 euros would ensure the operation until Christmas. And then, let’s hope people will be able (and in the mood) to travel again!”
As with many crowdfunding efforts, organizers are offering various perks depending on the size of the donation. The gifts range from a film frame to a VIP tour.
Austria, with a population of less than 9 million, has reported more than 15,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date, resulting in about 600 deaths.
__________
Post your comments on the Wellesnet Message Board.