Ronito

I’ll say it plainly. We may run out of money for the minimal staff needed to accept the ship and keep the museum open before the ship returns and can generate revenue again. It’s not through mismanagement, the Museum simply lost its main attraction for too long (originally planned for 8 months, may now be 3 years or even longer if the river does not rise enough to return the ship to her cradle) a period and without ticket and museum store sales, there is not enough money to pay an already underpaid staff over an extended period. I cut my own salary in half to take the position of Executive Director and have donated thousands of dollars from my own paycheque to help keep things moving during the ship’s absence. The remaining staff has seen their salaries stagnate over the past 3 years, even as the cost of living has risen. Any one of us (only 9 of us remaining after one left yesterday) could make more money elsewhere but we stay because we love this ship. The ship’s overhaul was needed and done right by the shipyard, KIDD should be ready to face another 40-60 years of exposure to the elements. That’s where our money went, the ship has always been our first priority. But now we need to save the Museum and its core staff so that the public can enjoy the restored ship when she returns home.

INCOMING! New update! WHEN: Wednesday, November 04, 2026 -- 7:30 p.m. CST WHERE: youtu.be/b0U2-cCHrZA?si=hcjk… THERE'S STILL A NEED FOR FUNDING. Let's make KIDD better than the bare minimum!

Commissions are here! Check bio for slots' status. All details below. Lets create something great! #CommissionsOpen #ArtCommission