Currently, adult admission to EMP runs $19.95; the price to see both EMP and SFM is $26.95.
"Since I joined the team here last summer, one issue has come up again and again - the cost of admission,"Â explains Josi Callan, CEO of EMP/SFM. "We listened to visitors and we listened to our community. The museums are truly cultural treasures, and we need to price them so our community can enjoy them and be inspired by them,"Â adds Callan.
Today's announcement comes on the heels of one of the organization's best years ever. EMP/SFM saw an 11 percent increase in visitors in 2006, introduced two highly successful exhibitions, DoubleTake: From Monet to Lichtenstein and Disney: The Music Behind the Magic, and launched a successful family membership campaign.
The institutions also kicked off 2007 with All Access Nights. Sponsored by The Boeing Company, this new event invites visitors to the museums on the first Thursday evening of the month for live music, exhibition tours and special family activities - all at no charge.
"The response to All Access has been amazing,"Â Callan says. "In just three months, we've had more than 4,000 visitors of all ages join us for this free event. And what we've heard and what we've seen has reinforced our thinking about this price change."Â
In addition to lowering the adult ticket price, EMP/SFM is also reducing admission prices for seniors and children. Children under 5 will still be free, while kids 5 to 17 will now pay $12 for admission. The ticket price for seniors 65 and above will be $12. Family membership runs $75 for one year.
And more for less isn't just about the ticket price. -- www.emplive.org
