Directs the department of economic development, in conjunction with various departments and offices, to conduct a study regarding increasing public access to museums in New York city; directs a report on such study to be submitted no later than one year after the effective date.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4519
SPONSOR: Fall TITLE OF BILL:
An act to direct the department of economic development to conduct a
study regarding increasing public access to museums in New York city
PURPOSE:
New York City is home to the world's most noteworthy museums, zoos,
performing arts centers, botanical gardens and more thanks to a unique
mid-19th century public-private partnership. Since then, due to various
circumstances public access to many of New York City's noteworthy insti-
tutions has decreased. This bill would set fourth a study that focuses
on the historic and current status of public access and free access to
17 of New York city's most noteworthy institutions. The study will exam-
ine the financial status, current policies and practices, historic and
current mission and purpose of these museums. The study will also focus
on the enabling legislating, statutory requirement and historical chang-
es regarding free public access and free admission.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
§ 1 - Directs the department of economic development, in conjunction
with the Empire State Development Corporation, the Department of Educa-
tion, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the
Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of State, New
York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Parks Department
and the New York State Council on the Arts to conduct a study of seven-
teen museums.
§ 2 - Provides that the Scope of the shall focus on current barriers to
public access, the historical access by the public, laws governing free
public access, the financial and operational impact of increasing public
access, financial support since the creation of these museums and the
other topics that shall be included in the study.
§ 3 - Provides that a report of the findings, and recommendations shall
be field with Governor, Temporary President of Senate, and the Speaker
of the Assembly within one year of the effective date of this act
JUSTIFICATION:
New Yorkers deserve access to the museums and cultural institutions
created for their access and education. In the mid-1800s, a group of New
York City industrialists had a shared ambition to curate New York City's
prominence on the world stage by showcasing their enviable arts and
science collections while preparing the influx of immigrants for citi-
zenry and work. The planning for Olmstead's and Vaux's "central" park
was well underway. Andrew Greene, then-President of New York City's
Board of Education, envisioned the park as an education and cultural
campus. The education and cultural central park required short term and
long-term-financing - the "public's" tax dollars and the "private's"
possessions.
The city agreed to provide free rent, use of park land and buildings
constructed with funds from New York City's capital budget and later
operating subsidies in exchange for New Yorkers' free admission. These
terms were written into founding legislation for 17 institutions located
across New York City's public park land. Today due to various changes to
operations, financial situations and historical circumstances all 17
institutions require New Yorkers to pay a stated or pay what you wish
fee, increasing barriers to public access and free admission.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is the first introduction of this bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately upon enactment.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4519
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. FALL -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development
AN ACT to direct the department of economic development to conduct a
study regarding increasing public access to museums in New York city
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Study. a. The department of economic development, in
2 conjunction with the empire state development corporation, the depart-
3 ment of education, the office of parks, recreation and historic preser-
4 vation, the department of environmental conservation, the department of
5 state, the New York city department of cultural affairs, the New York
6 city parks department, and the New York state council on the arts, is
7 hereby directed to conduct a comprehensive study on increasing public
8 access to museums in New York city.
9 b. The museums that shall be identified in such study operate as and
10 shall include, but not be limited to the American Museum of Natural
11 History, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn
12 Children's Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Museum of the City of New York, New
13 York Botanical Garden, New York Hall of Science, Staten Island Museum,
14 Staten Island Zoo, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wave Hill, Bronx Zoo,
15 Central Park Zoo, New York Aquarium, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Flor-
16 ham Park Zoo.
17 § 2. Scope. The study shall focus on current barriers to public
18 access, historical access by the public, laws governing free public
19 access, the financial and operational impact of increasing public
20 access, financial support received by museums from governmental and
21 other entities, and changes in such financial support since the creation
22 of these museums. To that end, the topics to be studied shall include,
23 but not be limited to:
24 a. the financial status of such museums, including assets, sources of
25 income, endowment portfolios, and expenses;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08118-01-5
A. 4519 2
1 b. current policies and practices of such museums regarding public
2 access, with a focus on laws regarding free access and admission;
3 c. historic and current mission, purpose, and operations of such muse-
4 ums;
5 d. enabling legislation and other statutory requirements regarding
6 free public access and free admission;
7 e. historical changes in free access by the public; and
8 f. historical changes in support by various governmental entities,
9 including operational funding, use and value of land and buildings owned
10 by the state or the city of New York.
11 § 3. Report and recommendations. A report of the findings of such
12 study shall be filed with the governor, the temporary president of the
13 senate, and the speaker of the assembly no later than one year after the
14 effective date of this act. The report shall include recommendations on
15 increasing public access, including expanding free public access, and an
16 analysis of what measures will need to be taken to ensure such access
17 while not undermining the operations or missions of the museums.
18 § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
