tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057487038565855826.post2485237363495383334..comments2024-02-21T08:52:55.878+00:00Comments on Your Freedom and Ours: Should museums charge for entry?Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13799545178433498944noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057487038565855826.post-24302824565265982222015-05-24T12:53:40.927+01:002015-05-24T12:53:40.927+01:00It was free before Blair. Periodically there have ...It was free before Blair. Periodically there have been half-hearted attempts at introducing entry fees but they were never properly worked out and were swiftly abolished. Naturally, if museums are allowed to introduce entry fees they will, I assume, work out various systems of weekly, monthly and annual passes. It would require thinking and some studying of other countries' systems. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799545178433498944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057487038565855826.post-84801370542550259412015-05-24T12:50:18.839+01:002015-05-24T12:50:18.839+01:00I am not convinced most pubs will give you water u...I am not convinced most pubs will give you water unless you order something else as well. Not sure they ever did, well not for people. Horses and dogs, yes.<br /><br />My argument in favour of Dippy did involve, as I recall, comments about children learning about dinosaurs and being enthused by the subject because of his presence, which is a little more than just saying that it is good and that's that. <br /><br />The problem with free entry is twofold: it does not necessarily attract local people (I struggle with the definition but I am sure you understand what I mean) whereas paid exhibitions do; and also that the financial structure is untenable with large institutions of national and world-wide importance suffering. Some rethinking is needed and the possibility of paid entry should be part of it even if it is then discarded for good reasons. Of course, tax reform should also be part of it. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13799545178433498944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057487038565855826.post-78080217896572239292015-05-24T00:51:05.767+01:002015-05-24T00:51:05.767+01:00Remembering my glorious visits to the Motherland a...Remembering my glorious visits to the Motherland all too long ago, I was very happy that entry to the National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum, and the V&A were free — this last particularly so, as it was relatively close to my hotel in Earl’s Court so I could bask in its glories regularly, especially when I had to get off the busy sidewalks of Brompton. I made a small donation to its coffers on my final visit. (If memory serves, I paid to enter the Banqueting Hall and Westminster Abbey, but the fees were within reason and happily given up.)<br /><br />If admissions were charged and weekly passes were on offer (at reasonable rates for tourists), I would certainly have made the investment, at least for the V&A. Perhaps free entry is my one concession to the Blair ministry?Stephen MacLeanhttp://www.organic-tory.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057487038565855826.post-78731865874318819402015-05-24T00:34:36.082+01:002015-05-24T00:34:36.082+01:00I remember, Helen, one day you were advocating poo...I remember, Helen, one day you were advocating poor old 'Dippy' residing in the NHM. Keeping it in the front hall for so many decades doesn't seem to have much of practical or marketing or even educational sense, and ultimately, your argument was that it's just good. <br /><br />For about the same reason I would say that having free access to public museums in the UK is a rare example when something that you get for free is just good. And it is so good that I struggle to see how changing this can do it any better.<br /><br />The closest example, that comes to my mind, is an old custom that should you ask for a glass of fresh water at any pub in England you are supposed to be offered it for free. <br /><br />It's just nice to have.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12468391950213581747noreply@blogger.com