She Strengthens

Art for All: Exploring Affordable Options in Four Major Cities

The art world is often associated with wealth and exclusivity, but the truth is that you don’t need a hefty bank account to appreciate and enjoy art. Even on a tight budget, there are ways to experience the beauty and inspiration of art. Every major city offers alternatives to the traditional art scene, from pop-up shows to free exhibitions.

Discovering Public Art

One way to get your art fix without breaking the bank is to explore public art in your city. Instagram can be a great resource, with hashtags for public art and street art leading you to hidden gems. You can also sign up for newsletters from local galleries, many of which offer free admission to their exhibitions.

Budget-Friendly Art Options in Four Cities

Here’s a guide to some affordable and free ways to see art in four major cities:

New York City

• The Museum of Modern Art offers free admission on Fridays from 4 PM to 8 PM, courtesy of UNIQLO.
• The Guggenheim has a “pay what you wish” policy on Saturdays from 5:45 PM to 7:45 PM.
• The Whitney Museum of American Art and the New Museum also offer pay-what-you-wish admission on certain days.
• MoMA PS1 is offering free admission to all New York City residents until October 15, 2016.

Los Angeles

• The Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers free admission on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3 PM to 5 PM, and Fridays from 3 PM to 8 PM, for LA county residents.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Craft & Folk Art Museum, and the Orange County Museum of Art offer free admission on certain federal holidays.
• UCLA’s Hammer Museum offers free admission year-round, with parking only $3 after 6 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends.
• The Broad also offers free admission year-round, but reserve tickets online to avoid long wait times.

San Francisco

• The Asian Art Museum offers free admission every first Sunday of the month, and $5 admission on Thursday nights.
• Yerba Buena Center for the Arts offers free admission every first Tuesday of the month from 12 PM to 8 PM.
• The de Young and the Legion of Honor offer free admission on the first Tuesday of the month, excluding special exhibits.

Seattle

• The Seattle Art Museum offers free admission every first Thursday of the month, and has a “suggested admission fee” on other days.
• The Asian Art Museum offers free admission every first Thursday and every second Thursday from 5 PM to 9 PM.
• The Olympic Sculpture Park is free all year, and the Frye Art Museum offers free admission every day.
• The Bellevue Arts Museum offers free admission every first Friday of the month from 11 AM to 8 PM, and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is always free.

With these affordable options, you can experience the beauty and inspiration of art without breaking the bank. So why not start exploring today?