Tracing an Argument

Read the text.

Modern Museums and Money

In March 2018, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, known as the "Met," began charging admission to to

nonNew York residents. Until this time, entry into the Met was free, though voluntary donations were encouraged for visitors. The museum said the change was necessary, but many people were outraged. The Met was criticized for charging a fee for access to culture and the arts. In a perfect world, all museums would be free to the public. However, the reality is that museums often rely on funds from admission fees, and these fees don't necessarily deter visitors. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for museums to charge admission.

Many people assume that museums charge admission just to make a greater profit. The truth, however, is that many museums are actually underfunded. They do not receive enough money from government organizations or private donations alone. Therefore, charging admission fees is sometimes necessary just to keep the museum afloat. Employees must be paid, exhibits must be preserved, and the museums themselves must be maintained. Ileen Gallagher, a Museum Studies professor at New York University, has offered her support for the policy change. Gallagher notes, "Government subsidies in this country do not provide adequate funding for institutions to maintain services and high quality exhibitions." Daniel Weiss, the president and CEO of the Met, notes that the extra revenue from charging admission will help create several hundred jobs as well as allow for major exhibitions. If people want their favorite museums to remain fully staffed and well maintained as well as continually acquire exciting new artifacts, a reasonable admission fee is often part of that cost.

Another common misconception is that implementing an admission fee will discourage visitors. But this doesn't seem to be the case. IMPACTS Research and Development conducted a recent study to examine the effects of admission charges on museum attendance. The study showed that, generally speaking, entrance fees do not particularly deter people from visiting museums. In fact, study participants expressed a greater intent to visit institutions with a twenty-dollar or more price tag than they did ones with no admission charge. In short, IMPACTS' research revealed that free admission at a museum does not necessarily mean that more people will attend.

Still, many believe that access to culture, knowledge, and the arts should be available to everyone. Some feel that, like public libraries, museums should be free for all to enjoy. But many museums are already addressing the concern that their admission fee will be a barrier to entry for some by offering free or discounted admission at different times. For example, the Frick Museum in New York offers free admission on the first Friday of every month from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is always free for visitors under eighteen, and it regularly hosts Free Family Days. Of course, it would be wonderful if all museums could be free of charge at all times. However, it's time for the general public to begin to accept that many institutions simply cannot afford to offer free admission. A reasonable admission charge is a small price to pay in exchange for the rich cultural experiences that museums provide.

What is the author's main claim or argument?

• Museums should receive more funding from the government.

• It is okay for museums to charge admission fees to visitors

• .People are right to demand museum access at no charge.

Review the text.

Modern Museums and Money

In March 2018, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, known as the "Met," began charging admission to to non New York residents. Until this time, entry into the Met was free, though voluntary donations were encouraged for visitors. The museum said the change was necessary, but many people were outraged. The Met was criticized for charging a fee for access to culture and the arts. In a perfect world, all museums would be free to the public. However, the reality is that museums often rely on funds from admission fees, and these fees don't necessarily deter visitors. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for museums to charge admission.

Many people assume that museums charge admission just to make a greater profit. The truth, however, is that many museums are actually underfunded. They do not receive enough money from government organizations or private donations alone. Therefore, charging admission fees is sometimes necessary just to keep the museum afloat. Employees must be paid, exhibits must be preserved, and the museums themselves must be maintained. Ileen Gallagher, a Museum Studies professor at New York University, has offered her support for the policy change. Gallagher notes, "Government subsidies in this country do not provide adequate funding for institutions to maintain services and high quality exhibitions." Daniel Weiss, the president and CEO of the Met, notes that the extra revenue from charging admission will help create several hundred jobs as well as allow for major exhibitions. If people want their favorite museums to remain fully staffed and well maintained as well as continually acquire exciting new artifacts, a reasonable admission fee is often part of that cost.

Another common misconception is that implementing an admission fee will discourage visitors. But this doesn't seem to be the case. IMPACTS Research and Development conducted a recent study to examine the effects of admission charges on museum attendance. The study showed that, generally speaking, entrance fees do not particularly deter people from visiting museums. In fact, study participants expressed a greater intent to visit institutions with a twenty-dollar or more price tag than they did ones with no admission charge. In short, IMPACTS' research revealed that free admission at a museum does not necessarily mean that more people will attend.

Still, many believe that access to culture, knowledge, and the arts should be available to everyone. Some feel that, like public libraries, museums should be free for all to enjoy. But many museums are already addressing the concern that their admission fee will be a barrier to entry for some by offering free or discounted admission at different times. For example, the Frick Museum in New York offers free admission on the first Friday of every month from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is always free for visitors under eighteen, and it regularly hosts Free Family Days. Of course, it would be wonderful if all museums could be free of charge at all times. However, it's time for the general public to begin to accept that many institutions simply cannot afford to offer free admission. A reasonable admission charge is a small price to pay in exchange for the rich cultural experiences that museums provide.

Select the two supporting claims that the author makes to argue that it is okay for museums to charge admission fees to visitors

• Museums must often charge admission in order to operate.

• Museums do not receive as much funding as public libraries.

• Admission fees do not stop most people from visiting museums.

Review the second paragraph.

Modern Museums and Money

In March 2018, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, known as the "Met," began charging admission to to non-New York residents. Until this time, entry into the Met was free, though voluntary donations were encouraged for visitors. The museum said the change was necessary, but many people were outraged. The Met was criticized for charging a fee for access to culture and the arts. In a perfect world, all museums would be free to the public. However, the reality is that museums often rely on funds from admission fees, and these fees don't necessarily deter visitors. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for museums to charge admission.

Many people assume that museums charge admission just to make a greater profit. The truth, however, is that many museums are actually underfunded. They do not receive enough money from government organizations or private donations alone. Therefore, charging admission fees is sometimes necessary just to keep the museum afloat. Employees must be paid, exhibits must be preserved, and the museums themselves must be maintained. Ileen Gallagher, a Museum Studies professor at New York University, has offered her support for the policy change. Gallagher notes, "Government subsidies in this country do not provide adequate funding for institutions to maintain services and high-quality exhibitions." Daniel Weiss, the president and CEO of the Met, notes that the extra revenue from charging admission will help create several hundred jobs as well as allow for major exhibitions. If people want their favorite museums to remain fully staffed and well maintained as well as continually acquire exciting new artifacts, a reasonable admission fee is often part of that cost.

Another common misconception is that implementing an admission fee will discourage visitors. But this doesn't seem to be the case. IMPACTS Research and Development conducted a recent study to examine the effects of admission charges on museum attendance. The study showed that, generally speaking, entrance fees do not particularly deter people from visiting museums. In fact, study participants expressed a greater intent to visit institutions with a twenty-dollar or more price tag than they did ones with no admission charge. In short, IMPACTS' research revealed that free admission at a museum does not necessarily mean that more people will attend.

Still, many believe that access to culture, knowledge, and the arts should be available to everyone. Some feel that, like public libraries, museums should be free for all to enjoy. But many museums are already addressing the concern that their admission fee will be a barrier to entry for some by offering free or discounted admission at different times. For example, the Frick Museum in New York offers free admission on the first Friday of every month from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is always free for visitors under eighteen, and it regularly hosts Free Family Days. Of course, it would be wonderful if all museums could be free of charge at all times. However, it's time for the general public to begin to accept that many institutions simply cannot afford to offer free admission. A reasonable admission charge is a small price to pay in exchange for the rich cultural experiences that museums provide.

Select the evidence that the author provides for the following supporting claim: museums must often charge admission in order to operate.

• Museum admission fees often help pay for employees' salaries

• .Many people believe that admission fees are created to help increase profits.

• Admission fees bring in more money to museums than donations.

Review the third paragraph.

Modern Museums and Money

In March 2018, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, known as the "Met," began charging admission to to non-New York residents. Until this time, entry into the Met was free, though voluntary donations were encouraged for visitors. The museum said the change was necessary, but many people were outraged. The Met was criticized for charging a fee for access to culture and the arts. In a perfect world, all museums would be free to the public. However, the reality is that museums often rely on funds from admission fees, and these fees don't necessarily deter visitors. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for museums to charge admission.

Many people assume that museums charge admission just to make a greater profit. The truth, however, is that many museums are actually underfunded. They do not receive enough money from government organizations or private donations alone. Therefore, charging admission fees is sometimes necessary just to keep the museum afloat. Employees must be paid, exhibits must be preserved, and the museums themselves must be maintained. Ileen Gallagher, a Museum Studies professor at New York University, has offered her support for the policy change. Gallagher notes, "Government subsidies in this country do not provide adequate funding for institutions to maintain services and high-quality exhibitions." Daniel Weiss, the president and CEO of the Met, notes that the extra revenue from charging admission will help create several hundred jobs as well as allow for major exhibitions. If people want their favorite museums to remain fully staffed and well maintained as well as continually acquire exciting new artifacts, a reasonable admission fee is often part of that cost.

Another common misconception is that implementing an admission fee will discourage visitors. But this doesn't seem to be the case. IMPACTS Research and Development conducted a recent study to examine the effects of admission charges on museum attendance. The study showed that, generally speaking, entrance fees do not particularly deter people from visiting museums. In fact, study participants expressed a greater intent to visit institutions with a twenty-dollar or more price tag than they did ones with no admission charge. In short, IMPACTS' research revealed that free admission at a museum does not necessarily mean that more people will attend.

Still, many believe that access to culture, knowledge, and the arts should be available to everyone. Some feel that, like public libraries, museums should be free for all to enjoy. But many museums are already addressing the concern that their admission fee will be a barrier to entry for some by offering free or discounted admission at different times. For example, the Frick Museum in New York offers free admission on the first Friday of every month from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is always free for visitors under eighteen, and it regularly hosts Free Family Days. Of course, it would be wonderful if all museums could be free of charge at all times. However, it's time for the general public to begin to accept that many institutions simply cannot afford to offer free admission. A reasonable admission charge is a small price to pay in exchange for the rich cultural experiences that museums provide.

Select the evidence that the author provides for the following supporting claim: admission fees do not stop most people from visiting museums.

• A study shows that many people don't mind paying admission when the price is low.

• The Frick Museum offers free admission on certain days of the year.

• Researchers found more people planning to visit museums with fees than free museums.

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Review the fourth paragraph.

Modern Museums and Money

In March 2018, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, known as the "Met," began charging admission to to non-New York residents. Until this time, entry into the Met was free, though voluntary donations were encouraged for visitors. The museum said the change was necessary, but many people were outraged. The Met was criticized for charging a fee for access to culture and the arts. In a perfect world, all museums would be free to the public. However, the reality is that museums often rely on funds from admission fees, and these fees don't necessarily deter visitors. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for museums to charge admission.

Many people assume that museums charge admission just to make a greater profit. The truth, however, is that many museums are actually underfunded. They do not receive enough money from government organizations or private donations alone. Therefore, charging admission fees is sometimes necessary just to keep the museum afloat. Employees must be paid, exhibits must be preserved, and the museums themselves must be maintained. Ileen Gallagher, a Museum Studies professor at New York University, has offered her support for the policy change. Gallagher notes, "Government subsidies in this country do not provide adequate funding for institutions to maintain services and high-quality exhibitions." Daniel Weiss, the president and CEO of the Met, notes that the extra revenue from charging admission will help create several hundred jobs as well as allow for major exhibitions. If people want their favorite museums to remain fully staffed and well maintained as well as continually acquire exciting new artifacts, a reasonable admission fee is often part of that cost.

Another common misconception is that implementing an admission fee will discourage visitors. But this doesn't seem to be the case. IMPACTS Research and Development conducted a recent study to examine the effects of admission charges on museum attendance. The study showed that, generally speaking, entrance fees do not particularly deter people from visiting museums. In fact, study participants expressed a greater intent to visit institutions with a twenty-dollar or more price tag than they did ones with no admission charge. In short, IMPACTS' research revealed that free admission at a museum does not necessarily mean that more people will attend.

Still, many believe that access to culture, knowledge, and the arts should be available to everyone. Some feel that, like public libraries, museums should be free for all to enjoy. But many museums are already addressing the concern that their admission fee will be a barrier to entry for some by offering free or discounted admission at different times. For example, the Frick Museum in New York offers free admission on the first Friday of every month from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is always free for visitors under eighteen, and it regularly hosts Free Family Days. Of course, it would be wonderful if all museums could be free of charge at all times. However, it's time for the general public to begin to accept that many institutions simply cannot afford to offer free admission. A reasonable admission charge is a small price to pay in exchange for the rich cultural experiences that museums provide.

What does the fourth paragraph do?

• It explains a compromise that some museums have implemented while restating the main claim.

• It repeats the main claim and then argues that the museum experience is more valuable than activities that are free.

• It summarizes the supporting evidence while suggesting that the government should do more to support the arts.