Museum Admission: $$, Your Local Galleries: Free

Last week, the Museum of Modern Art announced that, " faced with what it calls “escalating costs in virtually all aspects of operating the museum,’’ it  is raising its admission price to $25 for adults from $20 effective September 1. This follows the same increase for the "suggested" admission price to the Metropolitan Museum of Art effective July 1.

The change has elicited some protest from observers who complain that the museum is too expensive already. But others acknowledge the difficult realities of museum financing.

All in all, remember that your local galleries offer free admission and similar opportunities to experience world-class art.