The Met Museum Wants to Charge Admission for Out-Of-State Visitors
A formal proposal has been submitted to the City of New York.
After hosting a star-studded gala centered around Rei Kawakubo and her COMME des GARÇONS brand, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is drawing attention for another reason: charging admission for out-of-town visitors. The museum submitted a proposal on Friday to the City of New York, since the government organization owns the property. According to The New York Times, the city’s commissioner Tom Finkerpearl stated, “We will review it carefully. The city is committed to working with the Met to ensure that its unrivaled collection and programming remain accessible to all New Yorkers.” The move would certainly be a big shift for the institution, which currently has a “pay what you wish” policy, alongside a suggested donation of $25 USD. With a deficit of around $15 million USD, the museum has been searching for new ways to bring in revenue. As one of the most-visited museums in the world, the mandatory fee would likely add tens of millions of dollars of additional revenue to the Met’s operating budget.
