Patrons of New York's storied Metropolitan Museum of Art are finding out that all good things come to an end.
The world's largest museum is ending its pay-what-you-want policy, which since 1970 has allowed visitors to choose their entry fee.
The Met says it's the only art establishment of its size not to receive significant government support, and it now needs out-of-state, and foreign visitors to pay their share.
Nick Harper reports from New York.
IN: "The artwork..."
OUT: SOC
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TAKE VO
The artwork may be priceless. But if you don't live in New York State, seeing it will now cost you. $25 to be precise.
The museum insists though this isn't a case of paying through the nose and getting nothing in return. Ken Weine is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
SOT - Ken Weine, Metropolitan Museum of Art
"This museum costs $300 million dollars a year to run. We could be a small museum, we could be free. We wouldn't have 45 special exhibitions a year, we wouldn't be able to host over 200,000 school children."
TAKE VO
The museum is battling to stay solvent. It receives no federal funding, and has seen support from the city government fall, from 25% of its operating costs in 1970, to only 9% today.
SOT - Ken Weine, Metropolitan Museum of Art
"All of our peers in Washington, in Europe, in Asia receive significant amounts of money from their governments. We receive over half our money from philanthropic support. We receive about 12% of our overall revenue from our admissions right now. With this change we are going to move up about three percentage points to about 15% - that will still be much lower than all of our New York peers."
TAKE VO
Last year, fewer than one in five visitors gave the $25 dollar suggested donation.
SOT - Nick Harper [on location]
Indeed, over the last 20 years the Met has seen a 70% decline in people paying that full figure. So with no free option, will visitors still make the Met part of their New York experience?
VOXES
"The price is not important to see a museum like this."
"I prefer to see other things in New York."
"I can pay $25 to visit this museum. I think it's worth it."
"I don't think it will deter visitors - I think New York is expensive enough that if they know they are coming here, they'll just have to suck it up and pay to come to the museum."
TAKE VO
With the Met and the nearby Guggenheim, New York boosts some of the world's best known museums.
TAKE VO
And outdoor artwork is gaining in popularity. One non-profit organization, which installs artwork in public spaces, advocates for art to be accessible for all.
Here's Kellie Honeycutt from the Public Art Fund.
SOT - Kellie Honeycutt, Director of Advancement, Public Art Fund
"Cost is a factor when people are considering what to do. // I certainly hope that the price of entry into a museum won't deter people from visiting. I mean the Met is one of the jewels of New York City and I think people will certainly continue to visit."
TAKE VO
Critics fear the price change cuts off communities, making art inaccessible to lower income visitors.
The Met though hopes the change will sustain the museum, ensuring this space for future generations to view to art.
SOC
The world's largest museum is ending its pay-what-you-want policy, which since 1970 has allowed visitors to choose their entry fee.
The Met says it's the only art establishment of its size not to receive significant government support, and it now needs out-of-state, and foreign visitors to pay their share.
Nick Harper reports from New York.
IN: "The artwork..."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2:52
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SABC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0509Met-nh-sabc.mp3
TAKE VO
The artwork may be priceless. But if you don't live in New York State, seeing it will now cost you. $25 to be precise.
The museum insists though this isn't a case of paying through the nose and getting nothing in return. Ken Weine is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
SOT - Ken Weine, Metropolitan Museum of Art
"This museum costs $300 million dollars a year to run. We could be a small museum, we could be free. We wouldn't have 45 special exhibitions a year, we wouldn't be able to host over 200,000 school children."
TAKE VO
The museum is battling to stay solvent. It receives no federal funding, and has seen support from the city government fall, from 25% of its operating costs in 1970, to only 9% today.
SOT - Ken Weine, Metropolitan Museum of Art
"All of our peers in Washington, in Europe, in Asia receive significant amounts of money from their governments. We receive over half our money from philanthropic support. We receive about 12% of our overall revenue from our admissions right now. With this change we are going to move up about three percentage points to about 15% - that will still be much lower than all of our New York peers."
TAKE VO
Last year, fewer than one in five visitors gave the $25 dollar suggested donation.
SOT - Nick Harper [on location]
Indeed, over the last 20 years the Met has seen a 70% decline in people paying that full figure. So with no free option, will visitors still make the Met part of their New York experience?
VOXES
"The price is not important to see a museum like this."
"I prefer to see other things in New York."
"I can pay $25 to visit this museum. I think it's worth it."
"I don't think it will deter visitors - I think New York is expensive enough that if they know they are coming here, they'll just have to suck it up and pay to come to the museum."
TAKE VO
With the Met and the nearby Guggenheim, New York boosts some of the world's best known museums.
TAKE VO
And outdoor artwork is gaining in popularity. One non-profit organization, which installs artwork in public spaces, advocates for art to be accessible for all.
Here's Kellie Honeycutt from the Public Art Fund.
SOT - Kellie Honeycutt, Director of Advancement, Public Art Fund
"Cost is a factor when people are considering what to do. // I certainly hope that the price of entry into a museum won't deter people from visiting. I mean the Met is one of the jewels of New York City and I think people will certainly continue to visit."
TAKE VO
Critics fear the price change cuts off communities, making art inaccessible to lower income visitors.
The Met though hopes the change will sustain the museum, ensuring this space for future generations to view to art.
SOC