York Art Gallery is to charge visitors for entry again.
It will remain free for the rest of the month before admission charges apply from Thursday, 1 February.
The reintroduction of fees is needed to make the venue financially viable, says owner the York Museums Trust.
York Art Gallery used to be free. Then, after it reopened in April 2015 following a major two-and-a-half year renovation, an entry fee of £7.50 was introduced.
That led to angry protests and demands to keep the gallery free for residents.
Charges remained until the gallery was shut by Covid in 2020. When it reopened in August that year, charges were abolished.
The then chief executive of the trust Reyahn King said that an admission charge was “a barrier for many potential visitors”.
It was hoped that visitors would support the gallery by making donations and paying to see special exhibitions.
In a statement today, the York Museums Trust said that this model “does not meet the financial needs of the gallery”.
Admission to York Art Gallery from 1 Feb 2024
Adult – £7
with gift aid – £7.70
Child 16 and under – £3.50
with gift aid – £3.85
York resident child aged 16 and under – Free
Young person age 17-25/student £6.30
with gift aid – £6.93
York resident – £6.30 (YO postcodes within City of York Council)
with gift aid – £6.93
Art Fund – £3.50
Art Fund (with gift aid) – £3.85
Friends of York Art Gallery – £3.50
with gift aid – £3.85
It says: “Keeping the doors open and ensuring we continue to deliver high quality programmes requires significant resources and, like many other organisations, we are facing sustained rising costs.
“In addition, the grants we receive have not increased since 2016.
“Following careful reflection and exploration of a range of options, York Museums Trust has made the decision to reintroduce charging for entry into York Art Gallery from 1 February 2024.”
The trust says it is committed to working “with those who might not otherwise be able to access our spaces”.
Free entry to the gallery will remain available to
- York children aged 16 and under
- those on means tested benefits including those on Universal Credit (which includes all children in households receiving means-tested benefits)
- MAX Card holders
- people seeking sanctuary or in the asylum process
- and their Community Participation Card holders.
One of the world’s most famous paintings is going on display at York Art Gallery this spring.
The Water-Lily Pond (1899) by Claude Monet will be hosted at the gallery as part of the National Treasures project celebrating the National Gallery’s bicentenary.
The trust added: “We have an exciting special temporary exhibition programme over the coming year on offer.
“All visitors will be able to enjoy the whole gallery, including the special exhibitions, as part of their entry ticket.”