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 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).