Comments on: Paying extra for viewing a single masterpiece

By: Kathryn E. Norman

Kathryn E. Norman — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:33:47 +0000

Thank you, Alyson. Happy to hear that. Yes, it helps, as long as all people can view great Art and be inspired. It would be great if children of a certain understanding age were to have access to special showings as described….they are Arts future . Many artists find their vocation at an early age.

By: Alyson Stanfield

Alyson Stanfield — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:51:37 +0000

Kathryn: They actually will have Free Days for visitors. Does that help? Of course, they won’t limit it to the same number of people on those days–I’m sure.

By: Kathryn E. Norman

Kathryn E. Norman — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:46:05 +0000

I understand the need for museums to charge….unfortunately for ALL the arts our government is not very supportive, so support has to come from SOMEWHERE! As for myself, I would certainly pay an extra few dollars for a very good look at a masterpiece I might be interested in. The small group is a great advantage over having to dodge around people at blockbuster exhibits. Still……one of the reasons I would like to have my paintings in a museum rather than sell them is so that THE POOR CAN VIEW THEM……and the poor cannot afford such a price as quoted…yet I understand the reason. I often think of Van Gogh who said it was his wish that people could just hang his paintings in the kitchen! A humble desire from a poor artist whose such paintings command many millions of dollars today! Of course in those days Galleries only took 10% commission so things weren’t as overblown as today. The situation being as tenuous as it is for museums today, they should charge as they need to..yet have special days to give the poor the same opportunity it affords the “well off”. The Museum could possibly work with the local Social Services to provide such opportunities. That way the country would benefit by giving ALL it’s citizens the opportunity for inspiration and aspiration to great art.

By: Pippi

Pippi — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:52:01 +0000

Well, it’s elitist and an outrage to be asked to pay this much to see ONE painting, no matter how beautiful or exceptional.
Portland’s unemployment stands at 12.5 % one of the highest in the nation. People here are hard pressed to keep their families fed and a roof over thier heads, and the Portland Art Museum behaves this way?
As far as I’m concerned, this action will not encourage people to support the arts, and it’s certainly not going to encourage memberships.
On the contrary- it makes me want to boycott the Museum instead!

By: Debra Cortese

Debra Cortese — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:53:31 +0000

Think it was Tony Robbins that said ” ask the right questions”.
An excellent example of the amount and perspective of information that can be gathered. I like it, including the unintentional part about the fee.