Andrew Hertzberg
Chicago has a plethora of museums across the city. 11 of these museums exist on Park District property, which divides $29.6 million in annual subsidies from property taxes between them.
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In addition to grants, private donations, and special events, the rest of museum revenue comes from admissions and two of city’s most popular have the Park District Board to vote today on increasing fares.
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One of which is Hyde Park’s Museum of Science and Industry which has been around since 1933. Their requested increase in admission is:
- Chicagoans ages 12+ would pay $16.96, up from $15.
- Chicagoans ages 3 – 11 would pay $9.95, down from $10.
- Out of city visitors would pay $21.95, up from $18.
- Out of city children would pay $12.95, up from $11.
- All children under 3-years-old will still get in for free.
In an email to the Chicago Tribune, museum spokeswoman Amy Patti said that “[t]his requested price increase — the museum’s first in five years — will allow the Museum of Science and Industry to ensure sustainability of our facilities and programs so we can continue to proudly serve the Chicago community by remaining a place for all can celebrate and be inspired by science.”
Currently, the museum offers $2 off admission when visitors purchase tickets online in advance of their visit. There are also 52 free days in 2018 for all Illinois residents. It has not been reported if either of these would be affected by the admission increase.
The Chicago History Museum in Lincoln Park is also looking for a fare increase. Their proposed prices would be:
- Chicago adults would pay $17.
- Illinois residents ages 19-21 and 65+ would pay $15.
- Illinois residents 18 and under would be free.
- Out of city visitors 22+ would pay $19.
- Out of city visitors ages 13 – 22 would be $17.
- Out of state children 12 and under would be free.
The fare increases would help the museum avoid reducing hours, programs, and services. The museum is currently free for Illinois residents every Tuesday.
If approved the new admission costs will go into effect on February 1st.
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Recently in New York City, the Metropolitan Museum of Art changed their admission policy for the first time in fifty years, charging a mandatory admission of $25 for out of state visitors.
Previously, the museum was charging a pay-what-you-want admission, but a declining number of people willing to pay the suggested admission (also $25) has caused a period of financial turmoil for the New York institution.
