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CHICAGO, Apr 18, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The Chicago Art Institute wants to drop its voluntary admission payment for a fixed fee.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that adults would be required to pay $12, the current suggested voluntary price. Teenagers 13 to 18 would pay the current student fee of $7 and children 12 and under would be free.
The fixed fees must be approved by the Chicago Park District.
Officials say the aim of the fee scheduled is to make the museum more affordable for families. Under current rules, only children 5 and under are free.
In practice, about 90 percent of visitors pay the suggested admission price. The other 10 percent must pay at least $1, but anything else is up to their consciences.
The museum is also trying to attract a broader audience. A recent study found that patrons are overwhelmingly white and middle class.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
