Terry Teachout points out this article in the NY Daily News about the price hike at the newly renovated MoMA. The admission price rose from $12 to $20 and Mayor Bloomberg more or less tells people to suck it up. “‘Some things people can afford, some things people can’t,’ said Bloomberg, whose estimated personal fortune is $4.9 billion.”
What a douchebag! The price of admissions here at the MFA is high too and they want to renovate. I am scared that they will hike the price even higher. Two years ago, they had a special exhibit of Willem de Kooning and Jasper Johns work. The entry fee for that was $18! Just for that part! And even though my friend worked at the ICA nearby, they wouldn’t allow us discounted tickets. I thought museums were for everyone. I thought that no matter your income you should be able to take yourself and your family to view great art. That’s how people expand their minds. But according to the MFA and now the MoMA, only those who can afford it are able to expand their minds. I know museums have to balance the cost of running the gallery and keeping the people coming back with great exhibits, but at what cost?
And Teachout is correct, this is a great discussion of what this all means.