Harvard Art Museums is offering free admission for all visitors to its three museums and four research centres in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The university campus includes the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger and Arthur M. Sackler museums, which combined hold more than 255,000 objects from across the world.
Prior to now, the museums have been free to students, Cambridge residents, visitors under the age of 18, and members of the Harvard community. They have also been free to Massachusetts residents on Saturday mornings.
In recent years, the museums have been offering free admission to all visitors on Sundays, and free entry to all on the last Thursday of each month from 5pm to 9pm.
“Art is for everyone, and the Harvard Art Museums will now be free to all visitors,” said Lawrence S. Bacow, president of Harvard University.
“This initiative ensures that every visitor to our campus will now have the opportunity to view and engage with the phenomenal collections in our care at the Harvard Art Museums.”
Per a press release, the museums have seen dramatic increases in attendance in 2022 and 2023 as a result of the recent free Sunday and Thursday evening initiatives, and post-pandemic.
“Art is for everyone”
Visitation has been increasing at an average of 20 percent each month, with a 40 percent increase in August 2022. In January 2023, there was a 90 percent increase in attendance, and the highest-ever monthly attendance in April.
“We are thrilled to implement this new comprehensive free admission policy, which will remain in place permanently,” said Martha Tedeschi, Harvard Art Museums director.
“Taking this step represents our deep commitment to serving all audiences, enhancing our mission of teaching and research, and becoming a center where discovery, exchange, inclusion, and learning can flourish for all.
Lead image credit: Zak Jensen; courtesy of the Harvard Art Museums
