Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 11, 1991                   TAG: 9103110299
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A/8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ARTS MUSEUM DRIVES AWAY PEOPLE, FUNDS

Mr. Loeb and his board have embarked on a program that has resulted in empty galleries, the disappearance from view of the permanent collection (including the Cherry Hill room), alienation of volunteers, declining attendance, decimation of the staff and the substitution of fad exhibitions for programs of proven value.

The predictable result of lost contributions has followed. Mr. Loeb and his director attempt to blame this disaster on the reduction in government funds.

Good management could have mitigated the problem. The shortfall of 40 percent in the Museum's current fund-raising effort is apparently an indication of the quality of present management. People vote with their money, and it appears that I am not the only one who has voted no to the current regime.

Roanoke deserves better than this.

ROBERT J. HUMMEL

ROANOKE