Should art museums charge admission fees?

[Randy]

Museums have a valuable role in preserving and transmitting a nation's history and heritage to new generations. Free access will encourage more people to find out about their country and help to promote feelings of national unity and identity, while promoting greater understanding and acceptance of foreign cultures.

Should art museums charge mandatory admission fees?

What do you think?

 

[PGen98]

Free under a certain age, then charge. Encourage the young to explore and learn.

 

[nomad]

I think it should be free for students, the rest of the people can pay. If you allow students to explore museums for free, you will be helping them learn things. They might even pick an interest in the field.

 

[Kyng]

Really depends on what they find works best for them.

Here, they're often free, but they do charge for the special exhibitions, or they give you the chance to make a donation. Which I'm usually happy to do .

 

[Uncrowned]

I find the best model to be free for kids and students, but a reasonable fee for adults. I'd love to say free for all, but sadly donations and government funding are things that often go far less than people want to believe they do.

 

[Nebulous]

Unless they are government funded, they need to charge something to visitors otherwise how would they keep the lights on?