The public wants more free entry to museums, says an article in
Yanzhao Metropolis News. The following is an excerpt:
This year the State Administration of Cultural Heritage will
consider free entry to museums. According to the principle of
"classified implementation and different treatment", it will place
priority on promoting more free museums as a pilot project in
provinces and cities.
Museums put on display the history and culture of regions. It is
an important vehicle to pass down historical knowledge from
generation to generation and also a major window to showcase the
development of social civilization.
However, most museums, art galleries and libraries in China from
the national level to the local level still charge visitors a fee.
They are only free on holidays and other special days. Although
they claim their aim is not to make a profit, they actually make
money out of selling tickets. The recent price hike in entrance
fees has closed the doors of many museums to the public.
Therefore, as a way to implement the people-oriented concept,
the promotion of the free museums will allow the public to share in
the fruits of our cultural heritage and protect their rights. The
public widely expects these museums to be free.
Not long ago, the free opening of a provincial museum in Hubei
Province attracted numerous visitors. From this, we can see that
the public like museums and an occasional free opening does not
satisfy their ever-increasing cultural demands.
Such a public educational resource should not be based solely on
profit. It should shoulder some obligations toward public
education. Free entry to museums will be a test of the civic
quality of visitors and of the wisdom of public utility
managers.
(China Daily January 3, 2008)