[NSW] Free General Admission @ Sydney Museum Of Contemporary Art

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[NSW] Free General Admission @ Sydney Museum Of Contemporary Art
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whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 13:24 mca.com.au (468 clicks)
Last edited 18/12/2024 - 14:39 by 1 other user

Museum of Contemporary Art [MCA] Australia Introduces Admission Fees (From 31 JAN 2025), Reversing Free Entry After 25 Years

source: https://www.artshub.com.au/news/news/museum-of-contemporary-…

MCA Australia is a public, not-for-profit museum and has offered free entry since 2000.
It receives $4.36 million annual recurring government funding, but this represents only 14% of its operating costs.
The level of government operational funding has remained the same for the past 17 years, despite inflation and cost escalation.

In 2025 Australia’s only public museum dedicated to contemporary art, will charge $20 for admission.
However, the MCA Australia looks to maintain free entry for under 18s and Australian students.

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Comments

  • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 13:25
    +2

    Museum Of Contemporary Art - FAQ

    https://www.mca.com.au/about-us/faqs/admission/

    Why are you introducing an admission charge?
    Significantly increasing costs and inflation are putting immense pressure on the MCA. At the same time, our government funding has actually declined, in real terms, since 2007. We have already implemented a range of measures to cut costs – including closing one day per week – but our current financial position means we cannot afford to keep admission free. Introducing an admission charge will help the Museum remain sustainable into the future.

    Is the MCA a state-owned organisation?
    The MCA is not a state-owned organisation. We are an independent, not-for-profit museum. The MCA receives a recurring grant from the State Government for which we are thankful. However, in 2025 we will need to raise 85% of our total operating costs through donations, ticket sales and commercial activities to deliver our artistic and engagement programs.

    How much will entry cost?
    The MCA remains committed to supporting access for young people and will provide free entry to under 18s and Australian students (with ID*).

    General Admission

    • General public: $20
    • Concession: $16
    • Members: Free
    • Under 18s: Free
    • Australian students (with ID*): Free

    All Access entry (General Admission + entry to our major summer or winter exhibition)

    • General public: $35
    • Concession: $28
    • Members: Free
    • Under 18s: Free
    • Australian students (with ID): Free
      Both *General Admission       and All-Access entry tickets for teachers accompanying school groups will be free. Carers accompanying people with a disability will also enter for free.

    * Free entry for Australian students with presentation of valid (with expiry date) ID issued by Australian registered education provider.

    Will young people/kids have to pay?
    No, general entry and entry to our major exhibitions will be free for under 18s and Australian students (with ID*). General and combined entry for teachers accompanying school groups will also be free. Carers accompanying people with a disability will also enter for free.

    • Free entry for Australian students with presentation of valid (with expiry date) ID issued by Australian registered education provider.

    Will there be reduced price / free entry for locals or free entry days?
    The MCA hopes to introduce a range of discounted or free entry initiatives in the future.

    Can I still visit Canvas restaurant or the MCA Cafe at Tallawoladah without buying a ticket?
    Yes, both venues will be accessible without buying a ticket.

  • zbc on 18/12/2024 - 13:28
    +1

    Any deals on Memberships?

    • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 13:29

      Check the FAQ link — https://www.mca.com.au/about-us/faqs/admission/

      How will this affect my MCA membership?
      If you are a current MCA Member, your membership benefits will remain the same for the remainder of your current membership period.

      MCA Australia will introduce new membership categories in May 2025, and current members will have the option to choose the membership level that suits them best when they renew (after their current period expires).

      New Members who join before May 2025 will be able to join the existing scheme for one year at the current prices (Individual: $90, Dual: $150, Concession: $70).

      New Members who join from May 2025 onwards will join in one of the new membership levels.

      If you are interested in becoming an MCA member, you can do so online.

    • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 14:17
      +4

      …another reason?

      Neutrally speaking, under which government did the MCA offer free entry?

      https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/about/Pages/Premiers-of-Ne…

      PS:
      I did not neg you

      • CommuterPolluter on 18/12/2024 - 14:32

        Labor only been in for 18 months how could they possible have provided more funding? They’re working hard to fix Liberals mess, blah blah blah

        • jv on 18/12/2024 - 14:36
          -3

          how could they possible have provided more funding?

          In the budget they delivered.

    • mr_asstight on 18/12/2024 - 15:50
      -1

      Vote for dissident right parties not the lib/lab uniparty

    • merriweather on 18/12/2024 - 16:01

      what's the reason to vote them out? that they don't provide enough funding for the arts?

      not winding you up, genuinely unclear based on your comment.

  • smeng on 18/12/2024 - 14:19
    +1

    so it costs 31.14m a year to run the museum………

    • AnKu on 18/12/2024 - 14:27
      +1

      A bit exaggerating, you reckon?

      • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 14:30

        The article stated:

        It receives $4.36 million annual recurring government funding, but this represents only 14% of its operating costs.

        • smeng on 18/12/2024 - 14:33

          i just cant seem to understand how this is money well spent, sure the government cant contribute any additional tax payers money to this project but thats alot of money itself and I'd question the spending also

          • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 14:37

            @smeng:

            i just cant seem to understand how this is money well spent

            Are you talking about bananas stuck on a wall with duct tape, or the murky world of money and art ?

            • smeng on 18/12/2024 - 15:24
              +1

              @whyisave: i dont know the whole story behind the banana story, however if you want to launder money there is plenty of ways available without going through art….. plus your still paying taxes and fees one way or another through the use of art….. auctioneer collects a premium and your tax on the income that the art is sold for so you get the point

              • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 15:30

                @smeng: $9.5M for a banana (and then eating it)

                if you want to launder money there is plenty of ways available without going through art

                …yet, art is still one of the ways, whether physical or digital (eg. NFTs)

      • jv on 18/12/2024 - 14:36
        -2

        All staff are on $300K salaries.

        • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 14:47

          Example:
          14.5 persons x $300K Salary = $4.36M funding

          It receives $4.36 million annual recurring government funding, but this represents only 14% of its operating costs.

          PS:
          I didn't neg you

    • CommuterPolluter on 18/12/2024 - 14:33

      Wine ain’t free buddy

      • jv on 18/12/2024 - 14:37
        -1

        Yes it is.

  • first in line on 18/12/2024 - 14:26

    How is this a bargain?

    • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 14:29
      +1

      The bargain is ending in about 6 weeks' time,…after 25 years.

    • Jonzay on 18/12/2024 - 14:30

      It's free until the end of the year, so it's more an FYI of "go now before it costs money"

      • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 14:32
        +1

        until the end of the year

        Free until 31 JAN 2025, ie. the last free entry is on Thursday, 30 JAN 2025,
        with the 2025 Australia Day long-weekend, the last free holiday weekend.

        • Jonzay on 18/12/2024 - 14:35
          +1

          Ah, my bad. I can't edit it now because of the reply, but I'll own up to the mistake.

          • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 14:38

            @Jonzay: It's alright.
            I didn't neg you either.

  • Jonzay on 18/12/2024 - 14:29
    +2

    $35 per person is pretty rough. I really liked the few times I wandered through and looked at the exhibits, and even had a date there once. I would have been significantly less likely to do so with an upfront cost.

    I wonder how much their rooftop cafe sales will drop by as a result of people no longer being able to get in for free.

    • farethewell on 18/12/2024 - 14:32
      +1

      cafes won't require a ticket

      • Jonzay on 18/12/2024 - 14:33

        That's good to hear, but unless that is very clearly signposted, I wouldn't be surprised if numbers drop.

    • bazm09 on 18/12/2024 - 14:45
      +2

      The rooftop cafe has been gone for a little bit now. Has been converted into a restaurant named 'Canvas' that is for experimental ventures from guest chefs.

      If you want a cafe experience, they direct you to the Ground floor (on the water side) rather than upstairs.

      • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 14:48

        So, no more rooftop views unless it's a dine-in meal ?

    • merriweather on 18/12/2024 - 15:58

      $35 is general admission + entry to the seasonal shows. it's $20 for just general admission, this is the part they're changing, it used to be free. entry to the seasonal shows has always been charged for.

  • merriweather on 18/12/2024 - 14:58
    +2

    The Isaac Julien work in the front gallery is sweet, go check it out.

  • JetBombat on 18/12/2024 - 15:08
    +1

    Strange decision. Raise prices > Drop in attendance > Redevelop prime real estate into something else while moving museum to a spot that's prone to flooding?

    • whyisave on 18/12/2024 - 15:10

      Too much nooticing can be problematic

    • zbc on 18/12/2024 - 15:41

      Redevelop prime real estate into something else while moving museum to a spot that's prone to flooding?

      This is MCA, not Powerhouse.

    • DrScavenger on 18/12/2024 - 16:21

      They should open up more space to denser development. But people are always "not in my backyard" types.

  • CharityCase on 18/12/2024 - 15:10

    only went there when I need toilet

  • Freak00718 on 18/12/2024 - 15:11
    +1

    I guess they should also change their name in 2025 to Museum of Con Artists

  • fl360 on 18/12/2024 - 15:30

    Or you can ask AI to generate artwork just for you, this will be unique and you can customise it.
    Art is all subjective and I will like it.

    Most executive staff at charities are on over 300k salaries and they live in mansions.

  • SYLTB on 18/12/2024 - 15:50
    +1

    Australia is a social country by constitution. Any state museum entry fee should not be more than $2-3, upmost $5. Kids eat free, ops kids enter free.

  • HarleyQuinn888 on 18/12/2024 - 16:02
    -1

    Its as useful as a Bachelors of Attendance Degree, they usually go to work for the public circus, highly ethical legal profession and honest politicians …..cough cough

  • dtpearson on 18/12/2024 - 16:07
    +1

    My Google review of the Museum of Contemporary Art [MCA] Australia posted about a year ago - "What a poor representation of the depth of talent Australia possesses in Contemporary Art. Almost all the pieces presented were extremely amateurish. Many took up large areas of the museum with little to no interest from visitors that walked through, who just glanced at the "weird stuff" and moved on. While I understand that art is in the eye of the beholder, just presenting "weird stuff" ≠ art. When compared to the likes of the Pompidou in Paris, the Guggenheim in NY or MONA in Hobart, this museum is an embarrassment. Anyone can spend HOURS in those institutions, EVERYONE I saw walk into this museum left in less than 30min. When the highlight of your art museum is the cafe (check how many Google reviews mention the cafe!), you are not doing your job well. What an embarrassment for Sydney (and Australia)."

  • DrScavenger on 18/12/2024 - 16:28

    All the contemporary art museums I visited here has been "meh" and "underwhelming". Coming from a euro/Asian country, but I don't think we have especially good contemporary art museums. There's just nothing of value here.

    Again, I don't think my home city was exceptional or anything when it comes to modern art.

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