Title
AUTHORIZATION TO CHANGE THE GENERAL ADMISSION FEE
FOR THE ADLER PLANETARIUM
Body
To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Commissioners adopt an order authorizing an increase in the general admission fees for the Adler Planetarium. The proposed general admission fee increase is to take effect on March 1, 2019. The museum has not increased its fees since 2011.
II. Explanation
The proposed general admission fee increase is necessary to offset the Planetarium's increased costs relating to its operations such as salaries and employee benefits, facility expenses, as well as public safety. Before resulting to a fee increase, the Planetarium has restructured costs in personnel, operations, debt and IT as well as grown other revenue streams such as special events.
After the fee increase, the Planetarium will be at the median of the Museums in the Park that charge an admission fee and slightly below the average. It should be noted the Planetarium hired a consultant to assist in benchmarking the admission fee with other museums both local and nationally. Revenues from admissions represent approximately 40% of total revenues and support.
The Planetarium will continue to maintain the 52 free days to Illinois residents. In addition, admission is discounted or free for seniors, military personnel, veterans, teachers, students and Chicago's first responders. Also the Adler supports the "Museums for All" program provides additional free or discounted prices for premium shows, events and programs to a wide variety of audiences. From 2016 to 2018, approximately 40% of the total daily attendance visited the Adler Planetarium for free.
Similar to the Park District, the Planetarium has developed a teen program that focuses on providing technical and professional skills and mentorship to Chicago High School students of all backgrounds. Since 2017, over 2,800 students have participat...
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