New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art sets mandatory fee, a first in 50 years

Visitors to the Metropolitan Museum of Art will now have to pay $25 to enter if they do not live in New York state starting March 1, a first in half a century. Since 1970, this cultural landmark on New York’s Fifth Avenue only asked for a “suggested” donation of $25 per adult, which Met president Daniel Weiss noted was “uncommon.” Under the new policy, the fee — which will be paid largely by tourists — will fetch a ticket that lasts for three days and also covers entry to the museum’s annexes — Met Breuer for modern and contemporary art, and The Cloisters for medieval and decorative arts. “We think that is an extraordinary value,” Weiss said. In order to not penalize students from New York and the surrounding region, they will only be asked to pay what they can. Students and seniors visiting from other regions will get reduced fares of $12 and $17, respectively. Entry will be free for children under the age of 12.