The Art Institute Says It's Time to Pay

The Art Institute of Chicago has long been a home away from home for many Chicagoans. It has also long been in financial crisis, and now its spirit of "suggested donations" is changing. The longstanding flexibility of a payment donation helped to draw people, expose artworks, and maintain the museum philosophy that viewing art and understanding history are for everyone. But it will soon only be for those that can spend $12 for a ticket. We believe in supporting our local instutitions wholeheartedly; we're just wondering now what the attendance and demographic of the AIC audience will soon look like.

Despite the AIC's hike up to a mandatory $12 entrance fee, it will continue to offer a few free hours here and there. The museum plans to eliminate its free Tuesdays and replace them with free admission on Thursday evenings throughout the year and Friday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. during the summer months. Read more in the Chicago Sun-Times article from today.

Comments (10)

Oh this is such a shame!!!!

posted by katie on 2006-04-18 15:02:39

I'm thrilled they're changing free hours to the evenings! I was bummed when they moved their "late day" from Tuesday/Free Day to Thursday. I can only get there in the evenings anyway.

posted by Virginia on 2006-04-18 15:05:32

I emailed the guy who wrote the Sun Times article and have not yet gotten a response, but, I would like to know - did the Ford grant expire?

Ford sponsored the free Tuesdays, which was all day. Now, I agree that Thursday nights are better for me working a 9-5 job, but, is Ford sponsoring these also? Are they that in financial trouble that the grant is gone?

posted by jen on 2006-04-18 15:22:45

Jen, was the grant from the Ford Foundation or Ford Motor Co.? Because the two organizations are unrelated (other than both founded by the Ford family). I have a hunch it was the Foundation and they are in fine shape financially.

posted by Adam on 2006-04-18 15:33:33

I agree that the free nights works better for me as well, but I still think it is a real shame that they are doing away with pay what you can policy.

posted by katie on 2006-04-18 16:10:17

Becoming a member of the AIC is the best deal for everyone involved if you ask me. Its only $70 annually for an individual membership (less than $6 per month) and you and a guest can go as often as you like. You also get discounts on all their extras features (audio guides, etc.) and in the gift shop as well. Even if you only go once or twice a year its worth it for you and helps the AIC out immensely.

P.S. You can also deduct your membership fee off your taxes ... another bonus!

posted by Jeff on 2006-04-18 16:18:20

A family membership is an even better deal--between $90-$100 last time I checked, and good for up to 4 people. You also get 2 membership cards, which is nice since I live in the city and my mother in the burbs...

posted by MikeH on 2006-04-18 16:50:42

As a member, this won't affect me that much. But, I must wonder just how many people pay less than the suggested donation amount of $12?
Is it 20%? 50%? Or, is it more likely 5-8% of which the majority really don't have the funds to shell out twelve bucks... Will they really bring in that much more cash by ending the policy? I can think of many times in my younger and poorer years, when twelve bucks would have seemed like a lot of money.

posted by Devyn on 2006-04-18 18:06:56

According to a Tribune article on this, less than 10% pay less than the suggested donation now.

posted by Virginia on 2006-04-18 18:32:46

Thanks Virginia, I suspected so...

So, they really aren't going to bring in that much more by ending the suggested donation.

posted by Devyn on 2006-04-18 20:57:52