Free Museum Days Attract Record Visitors, Especially From Underserved Communities

Free admission programs at museums across the country are breaking attendance records and, more importantly, diversifying who visits. Data shows significant increases in visitors from lower-income neighborhoods on free days.

"Art and culture should be accessible to everyone," said a museum director. "When we remove financial barriers, we see our galleries filled with people who might never have visited otherwise."

“Data shows significant increases in visitors from lower-income neighborhoods on free days.”

The success has prompted more institutions to expand their free admission programs, with some offering entire free weekends monthly.