The Benaki Museum is seeking to establish a permanent presence in Australia and the United States, while also creating a trust fund and building on the progress of recent years to increase revenues.
This news comes out of an interview the organisation’s CEO, Haris Siampanis, had with Greek media outlet, Kathimerini, where he described the museum’s five year sustainability plan.
“Regardless of the present circumstances, [the museum] has made strides,” Mr Siampanis told Kathimerini.
“Like many other organisations, we lost significant revenues not just from exhibition tickets, but from museum shops, educational programs, events, rent and, obviously, from corporate and private donations [during the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic].”
Siampanis said that the Benaki was able to break even for the first time in its history in 2016 after serious economic woes in 2012-15, and recently settled the last of its outstanding commitments.
“We have embarked on a journey and the pandemic has merely delayed our departure. There is no doubt that we will accomplish it, together with the people who embrace what we do,” he said, vowing “to do everything in our power to multiply the benefits of even the smallest donation.”
Mr Siampanis is expected to discuss the museum’s economic future and expansion to Australia in the Greek Australian Dialogue Series on October 7 with a special video conference.
READ MORE: Greek Australian Dialogue Series continues with video conference featuring Haris Siampanis.
