Quoting from the museums journal (from England) from April 2004 "Two years
on and it look like free admission to the national museums is still a
success story. Figures published by the Dept. for Culture, Media and Sport
last month show that 5.6 million extra visits took place between 2002-03,
compared with 5.3 million the previous year. The biggest success was at
museums which previously charged admission, whose attendance over the
two-year period has increased by 72 percent."
By the way - if you visit the British Museum it is free, but the map costs
you 2 pounds!
I agree with Tracie's request for information from institutions who have
reduced or eliminated fees - what compensations appeared and/or were
created? I'm would love to pursue this thoroughly and responsibly once I do
a bit more reconnaissance on how much data I will have to work with.
Sarah S. Brophy - bMuse
Museum Writer
570 West Street
Carlisle, MA 01741
978-371-8964
www.gis.net/~bmuse <http://www.gis.net/~bmuse>
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Jay Heuman
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 5:49 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Museum Attendance Trends
Hi Deb,
There's nothing really to "counter." Yes, some museums have tons of
visitors whether they are free or not. I was pointing out the challenge
based on the local, regional or state "mindset". It's a point worth
noting on this issue of free admission versus charging.
Naturally, we all know The Smithsonian museums and London's varied
state-supported museums are repositories of some of the world's greatest
treasures, are well-known, are located in cities known for cultural
offerings to which tourists flock specifically for those cultural
offerings, and have permanent residents with higher than average
educations.
It's a different story in most places. We do alright at the Nora Eccles
Harrison Museum of Art . . . but nothing like the museums you mention
for the very reason that the mindset and value system are different
here. Here, if something is free, some people *will* ignore it as
inconsequential. I've actually heard people say that -- so I'm not
making it up, nor am I being a "voice of doom."
Sincerely,
j heuman, Education Curator
Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art
Utah State University
4020 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-4020
t 435.797.0165 | f 435.797.3423
Education costs money, but then so does ignorance.
Sir Charles Moser, b. 1922
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Deb Fuller
> Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 2:27 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Museum Attendance Trends
>
> --- Jay Heuman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Lower admissions might attract more people.
> > Depending upon the museum's location (local, regional and state
> > mindset) and type (art, history, science, etc.), free admission can
> > sometimes lead people think "It's not worth seeing if it's free."
> > Trust me . . . uphill battle for this modern & contemporary art
> > museum in northern Utah.
>
> I'd counter that. The Smithsonian, which has the highest
> attended museums in the US and is among the highest attended
> museums in the world has never charged admission. You'll pay
> to $12(!) to park at the Dulles Annex and pay for parking at
> the Zoo but you don't have to shell out a dime to get in the door.
>
> When I went to the British Museum, the National Portrait
> Gallery in the UK, and the York Minster, I happily paid over
> the suggested donation because I thought the experience was
> well worth it.
>
> So sometimes, lower admissions are well worth it if it
> increases attendance and you can still make ends meet.
>
> Deb
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