During the past five years, annual attendance has averaged 38,000, well short of the 150,000 projected when the Lewis Museum opened, according to data supplied by the museum. Meanwhile, museum officials acknowledge, it has failed to met a state requirement that it generate $2 million, half of its annual budget, in privately raised revenue.
That financial shortfall is being made up by Maryland taxpayers.
For the past two years, the state — which already contributes $2 million annually to the museum — has kicked in extra funds to make up the budget gaps: $430,000 this year and $450,000 last year.
