Art Institute, Museum Of Science And Industry Get Approval To Hike Admission Fees
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 17, 2013 4:45PM
The Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Science and Industry were granted permission to raise their admission prices Wednesday by a Chicago Park District board vote. The vote allows the two museums to raise their admissions by 10 percent, with out of state visitors seeing the largest increase in admissions.
The Art Institute sought the hikes because they have to cover staff raises and they need to pay city water and sewer bills that were waived in previous years. Under Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2013 budget, non-profits are looking at increases in water and sewer bills in order to balance the budget. Art Institute admissions for Illinois residents will increase to $14 for seniors and students, $20 for adults. Rates for Chicago residents will go up $2: seniors and students will pay $12 and adults $18. Rates for out-of-state residents will now be $17 for seniors and students, and adult admission will climb to $23. the new rates go into effect Feb. 1. Children under 14 will continue to receive free admission. It's the Art Institute's first admission increases in four years.
The following admissions go into effect at the Museum of Science and Industry starting Jan. 23: $15 for Chicago residents; $14 for Chicago seniors; $10 for children ages 3 - 11. Adults living outside Chicago will pay $18; senior citizens will pay $17. Admission for children 3 - 11 will increase to $11. Children under 3 still will be admitted for free.
The two museums had to receive Park District approval because they're on Park District property.