Just two weeks ago, Holland Museum proudly announced their latest exhibit, "Waves of Pride," celebrating the vibrant history of Holland’s LGBTQ+ community. Now, they're sending out distress signals, warning that unless they raise $100,000 by May 1, layoffs and program cuts are inevitable. Is this a classic case of disconnected whiplash?
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Executive Director Michelle Stempien and her team seem upbeat about their "long-term sustainability plan," but let's be real: it's tough to sell excitement when you're dangling the axe of layoffs and closures. And hey, let's not ignore the elephant (or rather, rainbow-colored elephant) in the room: could this sudden financial freefall have anything to do with local donors feeling a disconnect with the museum’s politically charged exhibits? Is Holland Museum getting a little too "woke" for its wallet?
Sure, museums should tell everyone's story. But perhaps they've forgotten the golden rule: know your audience. If the community's dollars aren’t matching up with the museum’s progressive programs, maybe it's time to reconnect with local values—or at least strike a balance that won't bankrupt the place. Maybe a little housekeeping is in order? Less out-of-touch spending on DEI-flavored installations might just do the trick.
Holland Museum has served the public for nearly 90 years and is currently located at 31 W. 10th St. The museum is owned by the city and operated by the Holland Historic Trust.
The primary sponsor of the "Waves of Pride" exhibit is Corewell Health, currently at the center of both state and national conversations. Recently, Corewell Health drew attention by defying a Trump administration order intended to limit gender-affirming care for minors, after initially complying. Corewell Health’s Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine continue collaborating to promote gender-affirming care and educational programs.
Watch for yourself:
"Waves of Pride" is promoting LGBTQ+ history until June 30, 2025, including items like one of Holland’s first Pride flags and a commemorative bench. Just a hunch, it might take more than a bench and banners to pull the museum out of its financial nosedive. Stempien and her crew urge donations, preferably monthly pledges (because nothing says long-term stability like a museum subscription box).
Bottom line: Holland Museum is at a crossroads, caught between curating culture and counting coins. Maybe less time spent navigating the political seas and more time on solid historical ground could keep them afloat. After all, the basics never go out of style.
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