ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO'S PRICE HIKES SPARK CONTROVERSY

As reported in the Chicago Sun-Times:

The increase approved last week by the Chicago Park District board would raise the Art Institute's admission fee from $12 a person to $18, a "remarkable jump," according to Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th), chairman of the City Council's Finance Committee.

At Wednesday's City Council meeting, they introduced an ordinance that states, "Any museum that charges admission in excess of $10" for city residents "shall be ineligible for any public subsidy."

Museum of Science and Industry ($12 admission); the Field Museum ($13); the Shedd Aquarium ($12) and the Museum of Contemporary Art ($12).

Burke said he's less concerned about punishing the museums than he is about negotiating with them.

"Why not make more free dates available? Why not increase the number of passes available at libraries? Why not cap the amount of money they're charging for admission for people who live in Chicago and pay taxes in Chicago?" Burke said.

"It's one thing to charge $18 for somebody who's coming here from New Orleans or New York or San Francisco. It's something entirely different . . . to charge $18 to a taxpayer who lives in Chicago, who’s already paying taxes that subsidize these institutions.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My view:

I disagree with Burke. I understand that if you are a resident of Chicago your tax money helps support these institutions. But with the money going to help market the institution, bring in the best exhibitions from around the world - I'd prefer everyone attending help bring in better quality shows into the museums/improve the museum through paying more admission.

When I first moved to Chicago I found out through my friend Katie that there are free museum passes at the library, you just have to go there and check them out like they are a book and return them by the due date. Museums also provide free admission days, primarily used by Chicago residents.

Every resident of Chicago wants the city to be considered world-class. The culture from the museums help in achieving this goal. Let the museums charge what they think the going rate is and let them bring in quality shows for everyone to see.