Here’s a few other interesting stats regarding the impact of museums, from the American Alliance of Museums:

• Museums employ more than 400,000 Americans.
• Museums directly contribute $21 billion to the U.S. economy each year. They generate billions more through indirect spending by their visitors.
• 78% of all U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural or heritage activities. These travelers—including visitors to museums—spend 63% more on average than other leisure travelers.
• Museums serve every community; about 17% of museums are located in rural areas with fewer than 20,000 residents. Other museums reach these communities with traveling vans, portable exhibits and robust online resources.
• Only a small (and shrinking) percentage of America’s museums receive federal funding of any kind.

So continue to enjoy, learn from, and support our museums!