Support Our Bills for a study on NYers' rights to free admission to city institutions

I, wholeheartedly, agree... we fund and thank you!

As a resident of NYC, you are entitled to free access and instruction according to the provisions of a mid-18th century public-private partnership [PPP]. The explanation for not applying to "everyone," if "everyone" means national and international visitors, it is because New York City taxpayers uniquely provide the $1 BILLION annual direct and indirect support for the 17 institutions, and free access and admission is a reciprocity for our public-purse funding.

The MTA is outside the parameters of the laws regarding the 17 park institutions.

As a NYC resident, you qualify for free admission and access to the 17 institutions across the five boroughs, as provided for in laws and contracts. In your borough, Wave Hill, Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden in effect are required to comply with the law for Bronx residents and residents across the five boroughs. Thank you for your interest in the Free Admission campaign, and please urge your family and friends to sign the Petition as well, so a full study with recommendations for compliance, as needed, are enacted.

I live in the Bronx and can't visit these institutions because my family and i are priced out.

Our tax dollars are like prepaid admisisons.

The subway MTA too.

Everyone should have access to cultural resources the prices have become a barrier for most New Yorker

In some states and other countries, the collections are owned by the state/government. As our country's Smithsonian, free admission is a "government" concession. Through New York City's mid-1800's public-private partnership [PPP], the collection[s] are privately owned and thus the "private" partner is entitled to remuneration. Nonetheless, denying New Yorkers' free access and instruction as the laws require and/or growing their endowment and investment portfolios to nearly $10 BILLION while receiving $1 Billion in annual subsidies, New Yorkers should expect free access as a reciprocity for our legislated or contractual rights to have such in exchange for our public-purse funding.

An important comment in light of New Yorkers' $1 Billion annual direct and indirect subsidies while New Yorkers are required to pay a fixed or pay-what-you-wish admission fee. More fully explained in comments above.

Straight forward expectation ... subject to the provisions of a mid 1800's public- private partnership [PPP], as described above.

There was a 2012 court case initiated by FA's founder and consolidated with a class action case, specific to The Metropolitan Museum of Art's misleading signage. The litigation was settled [over objection of FA's founder's counsel] and The Met agreed to certain changes. The changes are recognizable. However, the study Bills apply to a total of 17, boroughs-wide, park institutions, to ascertain if their policies similarly mislead New Yorkers, and if yes, to propose remedies. Having your friends and family sign the Petition will give breadth to New Yorkers' desire to know the facts of our free access and instruction rights as these institutions now receive $1 Billion in annual subsidies while New Yorkers are required to pay a fixed or pay-what-you-wish admission fee.

There are laws and contracts spelling out New Yorkers' rights. For some of the 17, free rights are for certain days of the week while on other days, the institution can choose to charge a fee. The two study bills call upon NYC's Departments of Cultural Affairs and Department of Parks to account for the 17 institutions' policies and procedures and their compliance with the provisions of a mid-19 century public-private partnership [PPP[.

These institutions were intended as a "park activity" -- not a tourist venue, as well as a "park education campus", serving as a boost to New York City's education system. Over 150 years, these "public institutions" disavowed their "public" purpose and began to operate as "private corporations". Supporting the study bills will force the City's Department of Cultural Affairs and Parks Department to account for the contracts they have put in place regarding the operation of the 17 institutions. This is a necessary step to ensure New Yorkers are getting our free access and instruction rights as provided by the mid-1800's public-private partnership [PPP], as an exchange for rent-free use of City-owned land and buildings.

Yes. Like most New Yorkers, our free access rights have been obscured over the more than 150 years since the structure of a public-private partnership [PPP] laid out the laws enumerating our rights. As consideration, the PPP provided New Yorkers free access and instruction while the institutions were provided rent-free use of City-owned parkland and buildings. At $1 Billion annual subsidies, the time is now for New Yorkers' rights to be codified and for the oversight entities to ensure that the institutions' policies and practices comply with the laws as codified.

I am the Founder of the Free Admission campaign and endorse the publication of this Petition in support of NYS legislators to ensure New York City taxpayers, residents and schools know the facts of our rights to free admission and instruction, too long obscured. I hope that my replies add value to your thoughtful comments, and I urge you to have your family and friends also sign the Petition to demonstrate the breadth of New Yorkers' support of these two study Bills.

I did not KNOW this!! Thank you!!

I’ve always liked “the pay what you wish” policy for cultural institutions— meaning it’s theoretically free for NY residents (taxpayers) but the institution still has opportunity to guilt trip into paying to cover their rising costs. Seems like it strikes a fair balance. But to support a cultural institution with high taxes and then be forced to pay again to visit that place is outrageous.

There should be free !!! For actual NEW YoRKERS Born and raised

This is definitely good information for all NEW YORKERS especially for those who are unable to afford the fees. It would be beneficial if they had to display a large sign notifying the public about FREE ADMISSION.