Free kick for gallery with visits on the rise

ENTRY fees will be scrapped at Cairns Art Gallery from next month in a move likely to boost arts tourism and result in visitors climbing from 130,000 to 200,000 annually.

The landmark decision follows two years of free entry trials which saw numbers rise by 40-50 per cent and a surge in retail sales to help balance the books.

It follows a worldwide trend to offer free entry to museums and galleries.

“It is an important decision and one that has not been taken lightly,” said chairman Doug McKinstry.

He said directors had taken a cautious approach, waiting to see whether free entry translated into more visitors and higher sales at the gallery shop. The answer was yes.

“It’s the performance of our store that’s tipped this to being a viable decision.”

Gallery director Andrea May Churcher said Cairns was one of only two regional galleries in Australia still charging an entry fee.

“A lot of people have made the decision not to enter because they didn’t want to pay admission fees. At least 10-15 per cent of people walk away. International people are used to free entry.”

She said visitors had gone from 55,000 four years ago to 130,000 now and could reach 200,000.

“It’s really hard to predict. We’re hoping to bring in a lot of audiences that traditionally haven’t gone to art galleries,” Ms Churcher said.