There's been a lot of examination of the hot $20 admission price that the MoMA will be charging when they reopen their renovated midtown Manhattan space. The NY Times had an article about how this is part of the "upscaling" museums phenomenon, partly caused by inflation, knowing that museum goers will pay to see art, and other costs that have forced museums to look for more money. Gothamist liked the article, because it's a small look inside how museums jack up their prices: They use market research and instinct. Anyway, the new prices will means Gothamist will be more apt to get a museum membership...or finally see if our work ID will let us in for free. But if other museums go to the $20 mark, we'll know who to blame.
The new fees:
- Adults $20
- Seniors, 65 years and over with I.D. $16
- Full-time students with current I.D. $12
- MoMA members Free
- Children 16 and under accompanied by an adult Free
- All visitors on Friday evenings (4:00 p.m.8:00 p.m.) Free
Mayor Bloomberg, believer in private enterprise, said since the MoMA is a private institution, they can raise prices as they like, but if some people can't afford to go to the MoMA, there are many other museums in the city. [This was in a Daily News article titled, Mike: If tix too pricey, stay HoMA.] It's true. For instance, check out the many museums of downtown. Or go down Museum Mile. Or see the museums in Queens, where residents don't want MoMA to leave.
Will you pay $20 for the MoMA? Or will you stick to free Friday nights? More about the new MoMA building at MoMA Builds and About the New MoMA. And the NY Times had an interesting graphic about other museum prices.
