NEW YORK CITY -- On March 1, the Metropolitan Museum of Art instituted an admission fee for the first time since its April 13, 1870 founding. It was a sad day for art, art lovers and those not yet aware of how enjoyable the art experience can be. Numerous artists, including Ai Wei Wei, have vociferously objected to the new policy, but let us examine the reasons for the change, the possible financial success of the new policy, based on other museums’ experience of charging admission, the legality of the new policy and the social change the new policy might affect. The New York State Legislature amended its April 13, 1870 Act chartering the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art with the 1893 Act, Chapter 476, which required that its collections “shall be kept open and accessible to the public free of charge throughout the year.” The Met’s board has apparently defined the public as … [Read more...] about WHAT’S UP? NEW ADMISSIONS POLICY AT THE MET