Why Museums Should Be Free for Everyone

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1. 01Why Museums Should Be Free

   Good afternoon, everyone. When I was a teenager in London, I spent many rainy afternoons in museums, because they were free. Those visits made me want to study history. Today, I'll argue that museums should be free for everyone.

   大家下午好。我十几岁住在伦敦的时候，很多个下雨的下午都是在博物馆里度过的，因为博物馆是免费的。正是那些参观让我想学历史。今天，我要论证博物馆应该对所有人免费。

2. 02A Real Example: The UK

   This isn't just theory. Since December 2001, the UK's national museums, like the Natural History Museum and the V&A, have been free to enter for everyone.

   这不只是理论。从2001年12月起，英国的国家博物馆，比如自然历史博物馆和V&A，就对所有人免费开放了。

   Source: UK Government, "Ten years of free museums" (GOV.UK, 2011)

3. 03Reason 1: Many More Visitors

   My first reason is access. According to the UK government, visits to London museums that used to charge rose by one hundred fifty-one percent in ten years after entry became free. Museums that had always been free grew by only twenty-two percent in the same period.

   我的第一个理由是可及性。根据英国政府的数据，伦敦那些过去收费的博物馆，在免费开放后的十年里，参观人次增长了百分之一百五十一。而一直免费的博物馆，同期只增长了百分之二十二。

   Source: UK Government, "Ten years of free museums" (GOV.UK, 2011)

4. 04Reason 2: Fairness

   My second reason is fairness. Art and history belong to everyone. If entry costs a lot, families with less money are the first to stop going, and their children miss out.

   我的第二个理由是公平。艺术和历史属于每一个人。如果门票很贵，收入较低的家庭会最先不再去，他们的孩子也就错过了这些机会。

5. 05Reason 3: Learning and Inspiration

   My third reason is learning. When entry is free, you can visit for just thirty minutes, see one room, and come back next week. That's how curiosity grows, slowly and without pressure.

   我的第三个理由是学习。门票免费的话，你可以只去三十分钟，看一个展厅，下周再来。好奇心就是这样，慢慢地、没有压力地成长起来的。

6. 06"But Who Pays?"

   Critics ask who pays. That's a fair question. Free museums still need money, from public funding, donations, cafés and shops, and paid special exhibitions. Free entry to the main collection doesn't mean everything must be free.

   批评者会问：谁来付钱？这是个合理的问题。免费的博物馆仍然需要资金，来源包括公共拨款、捐款、咖啡馆和商店，以及收费的特展。主要藏品免费参观，并不意味着一切都必须免费。

7. 07Still Supported Today

   The policy still has strong support. In September 2026, the UK government confirmed that free entry to its national museums will continue, including for visitors from abroad.

   这项政策至今仍然得到广泛支持。2026年9月，英国政府确认国家博物馆将继续免费开放，外国游客也包括在内。

   Source: The Art Newspaper, "Culture secretary confirms free admission for all at England's national museums will remain" (September 2026)

8. 08Conclusion

   To conclude, free museums bring in more visitors, are fairer, and encourage lifelong learning. Let's keep museum doors open to everyone. Thank you.

   最后，免费博物馆能吸引更多参观者，更加公平，还能鼓励终身学习。让我们继续向所有人敞开博物馆的大门。谢谢大家。