The Museo Alameda is the first museum outside of Washington, D.C. whose inception and mission are integrally tied to affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution. Continuing in the celebrated legacy of America's museum, the Alameda seeks to foster the education and enrichment of all people. Inextricably tied to this mission is access- the ability for anyone and everyone to visit, to experience, and to learn.
Most museums charge admission due to the high cost of preserving and maintaining art and artifacts. Consequently, not everyone can afford entry fees and many people are restricted from visiting and appreciating the culture on display. This perpetuates a cycle that prevents the economically disadvantaged from enjoying museums and art.
The Museo Alameda wants things to change
In accordance with the traditions and principles of the Smithsonian Institution, the Alameda aspires to eradicate all barriers to entry by not charging any admission- ever. To truly become a museum of the people, and to most effectively increase diffusion of knowledge to the children and families of San Antonio, the Museo Alameda should be free.
A museum without barriers
Over twenty-five percent of the people in San Antonio live at or below the poverty level. This population is predominantly minority, Latino in particular. And, this socio-economic group constitutes a significant portion of the Museo Alamedas local audience.
Statistics from the San Antonio Office of Cultural Affairs indicate that participation in art-related or cultural events is weakest among those with a high school education or less and incomes under $35,000 per year. Thus, the lowest socio-economic groups are the least likely to reap the benefits from exposure to the arts. Why? Because they cant afford it.
If the Museo Alameda is free, people who otherwise would not even enter an arts institution, let alone a Smithsonian affiliate, can enjoy the cultural benefits of a first class museum experience. By not charging admission the Alameda would help solve the community-wide problem of granting access to the arts to all income levels- cost discrimination would not exist.
Initial statistics from the first month of Free Sundays at the Museo Alameda indicate an average of a 300% increase in attendance when there is no cost to enter the museum. And, with special events and programming on the free day, attendance is even higher, at 600%. These trends indicate that people who otherwise might not enter the museum because of the barriers of entry fees do visit the museum when it is free- and in astonishingly large numbers.
The arts for everyone
The Museo Alameda in affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution faces the enormous challenge of providing an accessible venue for the celebration, preservation, and study of Latino arts and culture in the United States of America. Critical to the success of the museum and its mission- to tell an American story- is access. Eliminating the cost of admission guarantees that economics will play no part in whether or not an individual or family enters the museum and experiences the culture and art on display. The City of San Antonio has kicked off the Museo Alamedas Make it Free campaign with an $814,000 investment in free access for the children and families of San Antonio. Now, we turn to the rest of the community to match and surpass the gift of the City so that we might reach our goal of making the museum free for everyone. By opening our doors to all people, the Museo Alameda sends a message that ALL are welcome- regardless of income, education, race, or age.