An Update on Pricing at the Milwaukee Art Museum Taking Effect November 1

An Update on Pricing at the Milwaukee Art Museum Taking Effect November 1

Beginning November 1, 2017, prices for admission to the Milwaukee Art Museum are changing.

Updated Pricing

Museum Admission:
General admission for visitors ages 13–64: $19
Seniors 65+ and students with ID: $17
Membership:
Family and Dual membership (includes admission for two adults): $95 per year
Art Advocate membership (includes admission for four adults): $200 per year
Special Events:
MAM After Dark: $12 advanced tickets, $14 general admission, free for Members
Art in Bloom: $17 advanced tickets, $20 general admission, $18 students and seniors, $5 for Members
Lakefront Festival of Art: $14 advanced tickets, $19 general admission, $17 students and seniors, $10 for Members
Group Tours:
Adult group tours: $14 per person (plus a docent fee of $25 for every 15 guests)
Children ages 12 and under will remain free every day the Museum is open, thanks to the generous support of Kohl’s Cares.

Supporting the 2014 Expansion of the Visitor Experience
The rates for admission and membership have remained the same since 2013 while, in the last four years, the Museum has expanded to include three exhibition galleries and, within its completely renovated  Collection Galleries, additional gallery and community gathering spaces.

This expansion has offered visitors more to see, do, and enjoy at the Museum, in line with a world-class museum experience—at prices lower than institutions similar in size or scope in the region.

Adding square footage, activities, and more art on view—while improving the visitor experience—has directly increased the necessary costs for facilities, maintenance, art preservation, and in-gallery staff.

These price changes for admission and membership are expected to help offset increases in the cost of operations and maintenance. The Museum will continue to work with sponsors, partners, and grant-making organizations to support the exhibitions and educational programming.

Sources of Funding

The Milwaukee Art Museum is a private nonprofit, with 75 percent of its expenses covered by donations, sponsorships, memberships, and admissions fees. With over 140,000 paid admissions per year, the Museum expects an increase of around $250,000 as a result of the price changes.

The Board of Trustees and Museum staff work to keep the prices as stable as possible while ensuring the Museum has the resources to properly showcase, care for the artwork, as well as provide an excellent visitor experience. According to research conducted around pricing for nongovernmental institutions, these prices are in line with comparable organizations in the area and nationwide.

Children 12 and Under Are Free, Thanks to Kohl’s Cares
Kohl’s Cares has supported many of the Museum’s activities for children and families since 2008. The generous support of Kohl’s Cares now also supports the continuation of free admission for visitors ages 12 and under to the Museum every day.

In addition, beginning November 1, the Kohl’s Art Generation Studio will be open every day the Museum is open, allowing children and their families to make art during each visit to the Museum.

Admission 2013 pricing Update for 2017–18
General admission, visitors ages 13–64 $17 $19
Student admission (ID required) $15 $17
Seniors, ages 65+ $15 $17
Children, ages 12 and under Free admission every day, thanks to Kohl’s Cares
Admission on the first Thursday of the month Free for all ages on the first Thursday of the month, thanks to Meijer (excludes group tours)


Membership Cost Changes
With Members being offered more events, more to see, and exclusive access opportunities, the value of Museum membership has increased as well in the last four years. Our membership rates have not changed since 2013 and, even with this change, are lower than comparable institutions. Unlike admissions tickets, memberships are fully tax-deductible donations.

Family/Dual membership, the Museum’s most popular membership level, will be $95 per year and continues to provide free Museum admission for two adults, free tickets to MAM After Dark, access to preview celebrations for each of the three feature exhibitions, and much more.

Art Advocate membership, with its new price of $200 per year, now includes Museum admission for four adults, as well as access to a variety of additional exclusive events and discounts, on top of the perks of Family membership.

The membership rates at the Individual ($65/year) and Student ($35/year, ID required) levels will remain at 2013 prices throughout 2018.

The price of Family Access memberships will remain $20 per year. The Family Access membership offers the same benefits of a Family membership to anyone that participates in WIC (Wisconsin Infants and Children), FoodShare, BadgerCare, or Medicaid.

Membership level 2013 pricing per year Update for 2017–18, per year
Dual/Family membership $85/year $95/year
Art Advocate $175/year (included two adult admissions) $200/year (includes 4 adult admissions)
Family Access membership $20/year (requires proof of participation in WIC, FoodShare, BadgerCare, or Medicaid)


Cost Changes for Special Events
The cost of events for Members remains the same with every level of membership. The cost of general admission, tickets purchased in advance, and student and senior event tickets is changing in line with Museum admission prices

Event Previous pricing Update for 2018
MAM After Dark: advanced tickets $10 $12
MAM After Dark: general admission purchased at the door $12 $14
MAM After Dark: Members Free
Art in Bloom: advanced tickets $15 $17
Art in Bloom: general admission $17 $20
Art in Bloom: students and seniors (with ID) $15 $18
Art in Bloom: Members $5
Lakefront Festival of Art: advanced tickets $10 $14
Lakefront Festival of Art: general admission $17 $19
Lakefront Festival of Art: students and seniors (with ID) $15 $17
Lakefront Festival of Art: Members $10
Children 12 and under Free thanks to Kohl’s Cares


Tour Group Costs
While the price of adult group tours is changing to $14 per person, plus the docent fee, costs for docents ($25 per 15 people) and for school group tours ($5 per student, one free adult chaperone for every 12 students) will remain the same. All tours booked before November 1, 2017, will honor the 2013 pricing.

Group Tours 2013 pricing Update for 2017-2018
Adult group tours $12 per person + $25 docent fee for every 15 visitors $14 per person + $25 docent fee for every 15 visitors
School group tours $5 per student, one free adult chaperone per 12 students