Gallery opts to charge visitors

The gallery will reopen in August after a landmark redevelopment, which will create more exhibition space and establish a centre for ceramic art in the city.

However yesterday it was confirmed that in the light of budget cuts and funding pressures in common with many other arts venues nationwide, the art gallery will charge adults when it reopens.

A spokesman for York Museums Trust said the changes were being introduced in the light of cuts locally and nationwide. Because of pressures on council budgets it says income from York Council alone has fallen from £1.5m to £600,000 in three years.

The new charging policy will include a £7.50 admission charge for adults when the gallery reopens on August 1. However the Kids Go Free offer will remain, allowing free access for all children under 16 with one paying adult.

A new membership scheme will also be established offering 12 month entry to all York Museums Trust sites as well as other benefits such as access to previews plus discounts at the sites’ cafes and shops. This will cost £22.

The spokesman said: The uncertainty in arts funding is increased further by the imminent general election. Whatever the outcome, it seems highly likely that local authority budgets will be cut again and that national income streams for the arts could be reduced or reallocated elsewhere.

“In this economic landscape York Museums Trust is having to adapt and look for new ways to create funds.”