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.

   大家午安。我十幾歲住在倫敦的時候，很多個下雨的午後都是在博物館度過的，因為博物館是免費的。那些參觀經驗讓我想要讀歷史。今天，我要主張博物館應該對所有人免費。

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.

   這不只是理論而已。從2001年12月起，英國的國立博物館，像是自然史博物館和V&A，就對所有人免費開放了。

   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.

   我的第一個理由是參觀的機會。根據英國政府的資料，倫敦那些過去要收費的博物館，在改為免費之後的十年內，參觀人次成長了百分之一百五十一。而一直都免費的博物館，同一段期間只成長了百分之二十二。

   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.

   我的第二個理由是公平。藝術和歷史屬於每一個人。如果門票很貴，經濟比較不寬裕的家庭會最先不去，他們的孩子也就錯過了。

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.

   我的第三個理由是學習。門票免費的話，你可以只去三十分鐘，看一間展廳，下個禮拜再來。好奇心就是這樣，在沒有壓力的情況下慢慢長大的。

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.

   批評的人會問：那誰來出錢？這是個合理的問題。免費的博物館還是需要經費，來源包括公部門的補助、捐款、咖啡廳和商店，以及要收費的特展。主要館藏免費參觀，並不代表所有東西都得免費。

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.

   這項政策至今仍然獲得強力支持。2026年9月，英國政府確認國立博物館會繼續免費開放，連外國旅客也包括在內。

   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.

   最後，免費的博物館能吸引更多參觀者、更公平，也能鼓勵終身學習。讓我們繼續為所有人敞開博物館的大門。謝謝大家。