Strauss, however, denies any pressure from the public to generate successful and popular exhibits. "We don't need to be constantly feeding [the public]," he says. "Our shows pique interest in the permanent collection."

But Strauss admits the MFA's attendance drop is probably the result of a comparison with the unnaturally high attendance at the Monet exhibit.

At the Children's Museum--where the slump has hit hardest--a spokesperson claims construction, not content, is to fault for the drop.

The Big Dig project--which will sink the I-93 below ground by 2004--has created citywide congestion, especially around Fan Pier, very near the museum.

"Increasing construction, worsening traffic, the loss of several adjacent parking lots have been a constant source of frustration," a Children's Museum press release says.

Harvard's museums--secluded in Cambridge--remain unaffected by any construction and may be benefiting from the trouble created by the Big Dig.

"The ease of access makes [museum guests] regular visitors," Cuno says about Harvard museums.

And administrators say their museums take an approach to admissions that is entirely different from the city museums.