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Essay / The pros and cons of removing entry fees for museums and galleries
Museums play a very important role in preserving our cultural heritage by conserving, restoring and showcasing a wide range of scientific, artistic and historical artifacts and objects. or cultural significance (Smithsonian Institution, 2015). Likewise, galleries allow people to view important works of art and can even offer entertaining activities aimed at engaging visitors (González, 2012). Given that museums and galleries are both public service providers and cultural heritage institutions, their funding options represent a highly controversial issue that policymakers and citizens have long discussed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get an original essay On the one hand, many believe that museums and galleries should be free in order to play an active role in spreading knowledge and of education. After all, we live in a rapidly changing world where technological progress and innovation can lead children, adolescents and adults to ignore the fact that many valuable lessons can be learned from the exhibitions of cultural institutions. It is also worth mentioning that according to recent industry data, it has been found that removing entrance fees boosts attendance at museums and galleries, thereby improving the visibility of their collections and giving more people the opportunity to discover art, science, nature, history and much more. other disciplines in a unique way (Martin, 2003). Furthermore, although some might argue that free entry to museums and galleries would make these institutions overly dependent on government subsidies, Martin (2003) reports that free entry to museums and galleries in the United Kingdom has encouraged visitors to give more, buy more items – for example audio guides or guides – and spend more on various aspects of their visit. Given these considerations, it can be deduced that if all museums and galleries started to think and operate like ordinary for-profit organizations, removing entry fees might even help them increase their profits by encouraging visitors to purchase additional products and services during their exhibition period. their travels. From an ethical perspective, one could also argue that entry fees constitute a form of social discrimination, in that they make it difficult, if not impossible, for poor people to enjoy the works of art of cultural institutions. After all, culture is an invaluable commodity that everyone should be able to freely access, regardless of their social status and financial situation. As Yusuf (2007) explains, UNESCO has established a number of standards that answer all of the above questions and apply to most museums – although they do not apply to institutions that do not receive a sufficient financial assistance from the government (p. 354). ). That being said, UNESCO states that in addition to being easily accessible, museums should offer free entry wherever possible; in situations where entry cannot be free, they should keep their fees to a minimum and allow visitors free access to their collections for at least one day a week (Yusuf, 2007, pp. 354-355). On the other hand, many believe that free entry can have a negative impact not only on museums and galleries, but..