PHILADELPHIA.- Effective July 1, 2009, the Philadelphia Museum of Art will change its admissions pricing structure, increasing general (adult) admission and discounted fees for students and seniors by $2 while sustaining its family-friendly policy of free admission to children 12-years-old and younger (who are visiting with families) and free admission to Philadelphia public school groups. The Museum will also retain its popular “pay-what-you-wish” on Sunday policy, but as of July 5, 2009, this pricing will be offered only on the first Sunday of each month instead of every Sunday.

Gail Harrity, the Museum’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, said: “At a moment when the general economic outlook is challenging, we are adopting a modest increase in admission fees and adjusting the pay-what-you-wish policy. At the same time, we are ensuring attractive family-friendly pricing and retaining a day each month when price cannot be a barrier to any visitor for whom affordability could be a concern.”

“This was a difficult, but necessary, step to take but the support that general admission fees provides is critical to sustaining the Museum’s mission, presenting acclaimed exhibitions, and caring for our world-renowned collections. It also enables us to maintain our nationally recognized public programs and ongoing outreach efforts at neighborhood sites throughout the city.”

The new general admissions pricing structure:

• Adult admission: $16 (previously $14)

• Students with I.D. and youth 13-18: $12 (previously $10)

• Seniors: $14 (previously $12)

• Pay-What-You-Wish, first Sunday each month (previously every Sunday)