Visitors to museums have to pay "voluntary" admission fees, Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, urged yesterday. He said that encouraging visitors to set a value on museums and art galleries, which have been free since 2001, would work extremely well. Mr. Johnson held up New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art as a model. Although New York's museums are officially free, visitors are strongly encouraged to pay a recommended entry fee of $20. At the Met, entry is impossible without first going to the ticket desk. Mr. Johnson's spokesman later admitted that free admission was a "huge draw" for London, but he said, "Having visited the Met last week, the mayor is impressed by how they maximize voluntary contributions and believes there are lessons to be learnt." Mark Jones, director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, told The Timesthat the museum already requested a PS3 donation but was not as forceful as New York's institutions. He said, "I'm not in favor of anything that makes people feel they won't want to go because they feel like they will have to pay." When entrance fees to national museums were decided not to be charged here in 2001, there was a 70 percent increase in visitor numbers in the first year. Political parties have since been unwilling to suggest change, despite concerns about cost. Hugo Swire, the former Shadow Culture Secretary, was dismissed in 2007 for suggesting that "museums and galleries should have the right to charge if they wish". Some in the art community argue, however, that free entrance has done little to increase the breadth of visitors and has caused shortfalls in the budget for the museums. In response to it, Colin Tweedy, chief executive of Arts & Business, said that Britain was "leading the world" in allowing its treasures to be freely available. He said, "To return to museum charging would be a return to the dark ages." Ben Bradshaw, the Culture Secretary, said, "The mayor showed his true intention when he suggested those who could afford it should be encouraged to contribute to the arts. I believe _ is a disaster for the culture, arts and sport." He thinks that free museums and galleries have once been one of this Government's great successes.
Who is Boris Johnson? What did he speak of the other day? How long have museums been free there? Who is Ben Bradshaw? Does he want voluntary admissions? What is Johnson basing his opinion on admissions on? What does this museum recommend? What sort of donation is already asked for? Who is Mark Jones? Does he agree with admissions fee? What was the increase after museums went free/ Who was the former Shadow Culture Secretary? When was he fired? What for? How does the art community feel about admissions fee? Who is Colin Tweedy? What does he feel about Britain allowing free admissions?
the mayor of London "voluntary" admission fees since 2001 Culture Secretary No New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art entry fee of $20 PS3 director of the Victoria and Albert Museum No 70 percent increase Hugo Swire 2007 for suggesting that "museums and galleries should have the right to charge if they wish" They agree chief executive of Arts & Business He likes it