A member of the Chicago City Council is attempting to use a 118-year-old contract to increase the number of free admission days at the Art Institute of Chicago, even while the museum plans to raise entrance costs.
A member of the Chicago City Council is attempting to use a 118-year-old contract to increase the number of free admission days at the Art Institute of Chicago, even while the museum plans to raise entrance costs. The Chicago Park District Board last month approved an increase in the museum’s admission cost, from $12 to $18. In response, Alderman Ed Burke considered cutting off free water and other public subsidies to museums with admission charges of more than $10. He’s also pushed for the park board to rescind the increase. Burke now says the institute is bound by an 1891 agreement with the city requiring the museum to offer two and a half free admission days. The institute currently offers free admission during all of February, on Thursday nights and some Friday evenings. ______ Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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