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D I R E C T O R ’ S N O T E
WE’VE BEEN DREAMING OF THIS…
…and for a long time. The Chrysler has always been serious about
making its collections and programs truly accessible to people of all
ages and backgrounds. Over the years we have worked hard to make
the Museum a friendly and welcoming place, and to ensure that the
works of art in our care are meaningful and relevant to the lives of our
visitors. But in spite of these efforts, one formidable barrier has
remained to achieving our mission of “bringing art and people together
to enrich and transform lives”—the charge at the door.
Of course, admission has always been free to our Members and, for a
number of years, to the general public on Wednesdays. In fact, all of us
here at the Chrysler look forward to Wednesdays. More than twice as
many people come on that day than on any other day of the week, and
the crowd is wonderfully diverse and enthusiastic. We want the
Museum to be like that every day.
So, in a difficult economic climate, when many cultural organizations are increasing their admission
charges, the Museum’s Trustees have taken a bold step in the opposite direction. Believing that now, more
than ever, the experience of original works of art can make a real and positive difference in the lives of the
people of our community, they have voted to remove the Museum’s general admission charge.
That means that all 62 of the Museum’s permanent collection galleries will be open and accessible to the
public, without charge, whenever the Chrysler is open. Under our new policy, some special exhibitions
will carry a modest admission fee (as usual, though, Members will be admitted free), but, as you’ll read in
this magazine, we’re also launching a whole range of new programs to complement our new admission
policy. There are new tours and gallery programs, special events for Members, new partnerships with
performing arts groups, and a new schedule of programs for Wednesday evenings—all designed to make
the Chrysler an even more lively and enjoyable place.
We hope that free admission will open up the Museum to a whole new audience, that it will build a
sense of shared community ownership of the Chrysler and its collections, and that it will make it easy for
people to drop in and spend a few minutes in the galleries whenever they feel a need for some beauty,
inspiration, or insight.
William J. Hennessey
Director
A final note: Our new “free to all” policy has been made possible by special gifts from a number of
generous local donors and foundations. We are deeply grateful to them, but we will need the continued
support of our Members to sustain it. In addition to very real tangible rewards, Chrysler membership
now also carries with it the satisfaction of knowing that your investment in the Museum is making the
Chrysler’s resources available to others who might not otherwise be able to visit. Please help us keep the
doors open for everyone in our community. Become a Member today!
FREE
GENERAL
ADMISSION
Begins Wednesday,
September 2
Admission to our permanent
collection is free to everyone
whenever the Museum galleries
are open.
The Chrysler is open to the
public on Wednesdays from
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursdays,
Fridays, and Saturdays from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and
Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m.
The Museum galleries will
remain closed on Mondays
and Tuesdays.
Parking at the Chrysler
Museum of Art is free.
Special exhibitions will
carry modest admissions
charges, as noted.
Admission to special
exhibitions is ALWAYS FREE
to Museum Members and
children 5 and younger.
All current coupons and free
admission cards will be
honored toward entry to
special exhibitions.
On Bunny and Perry Morgan
Family Days, the entire
Museum—including all
special exhibitions—will be
open free of charge!
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