MoMA PS1, the contemporary art satellite of New York's Museum of Modern Art, announced it will offer free admission to all visitors starting January 1, 2026, thanks to a $900,000 donation from entrepreneur Sonya Yu. Previously, only New York City residents received free entry, while others faced a suggested $10 fee. The move positions MoMA PS1 as New York's largest free art museum, joining institutions like the Bronx Museum of the Arts and the American Folk Art Museum.
The decision counters recent admission price hikes at major New York museums—the Guggenheim, Whitney, and Metropolitan Museum of Art each raised adult rates to $30 between 2022 and 2023. It aligns with a growing trend among U.S. museums to eliminate fees, supported by research from the Remuseum project showing benefits like increased attendance and lower per-visitor costs. Other institutions, including the Henry Art Gallery, Rockbund Art Museum, and Memorial Art Gallery, have also adopted or are pursuing free admission models, reflecting a broader shift toward accessibility in the art world.