The Metropolitan Museum of Art's half-century old policy of charging all visitors a suggested admission fee is coming to an end.
Under a new policy, starting March 1, visitors to the world’s largest cultural institution will have to pay a mandatory admission fee of $25 if they do not live in the State of New York, according to The New York Times.
The change comes as The Met is trying to establish a reliable, annual revenue stream after a period of financial turbulence and leadership turmoil.
Adults will be charged $25 while Senior will pay only $17. Students from outside the Tri-State Area will be charged $12.
State residents and students from within the Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) will still be able to visit the museum for free. However, they will be required to show address identification; those without it will not be turned away, but be asked to bring it the next time they visit the museum.
Another change to the new policy, full-priced admission tickets will be honored for three consecutive days at the Met’s three locations, which include the Met Breuer on Madison Avenue and the Cloisters in Upper Manhattan.
