IS THE PRICE RIGHT? ADMISSION FEES AND FREE ADMISSION IN AMERICAN ART MUSEUMS
IS THE PRICE RIGHT? ADMISSION FEES AND FREE ADMISSION IN AMERICAN ART MUSEUMS
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Issue Date
2006
Authors
McFelter, Gypsy
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Abstract
A persistent question exists among many museum professionals: if tax-exempt organizations, such as art museums, hold their collections in the public trust, is it appropriate to charge a fee to view those collections? The purpose of this project is to assess the current practices of charging for adult admission to art museums of the western United States. I also sought to define the general characteristics of adult art museum visitors and the differences between those who pay full price and those who attend on free days. A primary goal of this project is to present admission fee structures that appropriately balance an art museums' financial stability with a strong commitment to public service.
A variety of entrance policies and programs are discussed, to illustrate ways in which museums might maximize their attendance, as well as their visibility in the community. While this project includes both national and international examples of admission fee structures, the primary research focuses specifically on art museums in the western United States. Although the question of whether or not art museums should charge for admission is unlikely to find a conclusive answer, I hope to provide valuable information to address this continual query.