SF Art Museums Offering Free Admission To More Bay Area Residents

Bay Area residents who headed to the de Young Museum of Fine Arts and the Legion of Honor on Saturday benefited from a new policy offering free admission each Saturday to all who live in the area. 

Museums had already begun offering free admission on Saturdays earlier this year, but to San Francisco residents only.

The goal behind the program is to eliminate any obstacle that may stop would-be patrons from visiting the galleries, spokeswoman Miriam Newcomer said. 

“We know that admission cost can be one of those barriers of entry, specifically in the Bay Area with rising costs of everything else,” Newcomer said. “We just want to take a step to remove any barrier that we can.”

Patrons said that waving the fees really does make a difference in the museum experience.

“Money is tight, so this is a great way for us to get out of the cold and also enjoy art,” one college student said while visiting the de Young.

The policy has already boosted attendance for low-income patrons, according to museum officials.

In order to enter without paying, visitors need to show proof of Bay Area residence to museum employees.