Kandos Museum president, Buzz Sanderson, said that while it's vital to ensure the sector doesn't fall through the cracks of the pandemic, it's also important to highlight what it does - and can do - for the NSW regional visitor economy.
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While community-based museums are volunteer-run and not-for-profit, they still have bills to pay. Their admission fees pay the electricity, water, rates, the various insurances, upkeep and maintenance - and with no people through the doors, this is harder to do.
Mr Sanderson said that while things aren't dire for them yet, such organisations leave themselves vulnerable if they deplete their cash reserves. So he hopes for 3000 visitors to the Kandos Museum by Christmas.
The sector isn't eligible for the $10,000 small business grant. And while the NSW Government did release a $50m Rescue and Restart package for arts and cultural organisations, these are determined case-by-case.
"We won't go broke this week, but after another six months we wouldn't have any cash left to do anything with. Any reserves would be gone and you'd be doing a lamington drive - or something else - to bootstrap the organisation," he said.
"It would be fair to say that none of us would look forward to the prospect of having to have a meat raffle or lamington drive in order to pay the rates."
Although, Mr Sanderson said that this wasn't a plea for charity. Rather it's about recognising what museums do for the fabric and identity of regions - particularly when it comes to showing that to tourists.
And while there are structural things that can be done at a state level, locally it's about getting people through the doors to take in what's inside.
"I think that the sector has an undervalued contribution to the visitor economy and the life of towns. And I think that it's a sector that could do with a little bit more care and attention," he said.
"It's not a matter of charity. I think that a lot of these places want an affirmation of what they do, by people patronising them and coming along.
"And letting them know that it's worth the price on the door and that it added a valuable experience. That's what they want to see."
With international travel off the cards and with domestic tourism poised to pick up the slack, Mr Sanderson said that the sector in the local region can add to the diversity of experience for visitors. And added that while many come for the wine and food, it's important to point out what else the region can offer.
"Mudgee is three/four hours from Sydney, which usually means an overnight visitation, and you need more than one thing to fill up the dance card," he said.
