Agree or Disagree: Museums should provide free admission to its citizen?

[bzcxx]

In Singapore, all state museums (excluding private museums and special exhibits - they’re charged but at a discounted rate for locals) admit locals for free. Citizens are not expected to pay to learn more about their own history and culture. Donation boxes are scattered around the museum and appeal to the generosity of donors to upkeep the museums. You’ll be surprised to see the number of $50 and $100 notes placed inside.

Should this system be implemented in other Countries? Should citizens have to pay to learn about their own culture and history?

Updates

+1 y

Grammatical Error: To its citizens*

[OlderAndWiser]

The opposing philosophy is that things such as museums and parks do not provide services to all citizens but only to those who choose to use those facilities; they should be supported by those who actually use them, and citizens who do not use the parks and museums should not be required to pay for their maintenance for the benefit of others.

[Rosexøxø]

No. Everyone went to school. Only those who appreciate the history and arts, will go out of their way to these places. Keep them respectably quiet and not so busy.

Discounted prices for locals, and they shouldn't raise the prices to absurd rates. Keep donations welcome.

Simple. :)

Museums are not educational, but a real treat. Historians have worked hard, and the workers have, as well, to secure and preserve these artifacts for generations to come.

[Rosexøxø]

@jennifer_bloom you made a good point in addressing @bzcxx 's question for those furthering their education. Encourages me to add: Discounts for universities/ students should be the norm.

[bzcxx]

Thank you for your input 😀

[Rosexøxø]

Thank you :)

[jennifer_bloom]

I love and would gladly donate to a museum but the average person would not pay if payment was optional and when you pay for something, you appreciate it more.

[bzcxx]

You have a point there. But what about young students who are genuinely interested in learning more about their roots but do not have the financial ability to pay for entry?

[jennifer_bloom]

Some museums in my country offer discounts or free admission for verified university students and they have free hours where no admission fee is selected, it might be for all, I know Spanish museums sometimes have freebie hours. I live in Canada.

[bzcxx]

Thank you for your answer, I appreciate it

[Telekinetic-Potato]

I don't know, I live near NYC and I'm pretty sure you can get into pretty much any museum for $30 or less. Which sounds like the bare minimum to buy and maintain all the exhibits so it is kinda nice that for basically the price of four 20pc chicken Mcnuggets at McDonald's, you can go to a museum, and maybe catch the McDonald's breakfast menu on the way there.

[jshm2]

Why?

You're aware all museums are just glorified "look at what our military stole from rivals in the past" taunts, right?

It's like your neighbour robbing you of your best items, moving all the stuff to another country outside the jurisdiction, and then flaunting that in your face there!

The joke being "If you want to see the best of the commonwealth, it's already been stolen and you can see it in a British museum". However, "If you want to see the best of Africa and the Middle East, it's already been stolen, and you can see it in America everywhere.

[WindAtMyBack]

I prefer that the people who use things pay for them. There is no such thing as free. "Free" means that the people who don't use it pay for the people who do use it.

Even if it's not free, things like museums and parks are heavily subsidized. So the people who use them get very heavy discounts which are paid for by people who don't use them.

[cth96190]

There is no such thing as 'free' admission to anything.

Democrats and other Socialists are too ignorant of economics and business to understand that.

The museum has to be funded. If it is not funded by an admission charge, it has to be funded by the taxpayers.

Either way, admission would not be 'free'.

[purplepoppy]

Most museums in the UK are free. I think it's good because it allows parents to extend their child's education. If you charge for museums it impies history only belongs to the rich..

[NathanDavis]

nope...

you can learn for free online, any time you want

[bzcxx]

It’s not the same as going to the museum. They are many things you can see and learn in a museum that are not found online

[NathanDavis]

yes, but museums are for exhibits... not exactly a place you go to learn first

and the costs to keep up with a museum are very VERY high, so... no, they are not a social service

[bzcxx]

Sometimes you don’t even know a concept or thing exists until you see/read about it in a museum. Then you go home and continue your research.

[NathanDavis]

better education is truly a privilege

basic education is free

[bzcxx]

That i can’t deny

[Rosexøxø]

@bzcxx yeah @NathanDavis 's last comment is indeed a fact.

[bzcxx]

Yes I agree. Someone told me yesterday that no one will come on here to answer “agree or disagree questions or discuss and debate”. I told them that there might not be plenty, but those who do tend to speak facts. Thank you both for answering to a few of my questions.

[bzcxx]

Answering a few*

[Rosexøxø]

Yeah, I was just impressed by the points discussed by you two and that one fact. Thanks a ton, for no hostility here, and a really great question.

[bzcxx]

Thank you! Let me drop you a request 😀 thinking of questions to post for tomorrow

[Rosexøxø]

OMG awesomeee

I look forward to it. :)

[BCA6010]

"Free" means taxpayer-funded. And yes, I'd support that move by bringing the hammer down on wasteful spending in the public education budget to cover it.

[Tyrael]

They're already free in my country. Don't see the issue, it's cool to go learn about history.

[bzcxx]

They are free too in my country. Where are you from?

[Avicenna]

Public museums should be free. Many are. In fact, unless they arentcregeivibg publicizing, they should all be free to the public.

[Sixgunsound]

The British museum doesn’t charge either, unless that has changed.

[AviatorTom]

I think it's fair for museums to charge a nominal fee for entrance.

[maximumpower]

If only one citizen, then yes.
If all citizens, then no.
You CAN try to have all the maintenance, procurement, etc. paid by taxes, but good luck on that one.

[Anonymous]

Most people don’t give a rat’s ass about art or museums. Unfortunately. You could give them free admission and free Uber rides to get there and they still wouldn’t go.

[OddBeMe]

Ehh, sure? Maybe have passes given to schools and poorer communities, which i think is already happening. But art has to make money.

[Jamie05rhs]

Yes; I agree. Maybe then the citizens would actually be more informed.

[laurieluvsit]

What country are you from?

[Dargil]

Absolutely disagree.

[joeldalton]

Disagree.

[bzcxx]

Reason for it?

[joeldalton]

If it's free to get in, it will be overrun with the homeless.

[bzcxx]

There’s why there’s security. Shopping malls are also free to get in

[joeldalton]

malls are disgusting anymore.