The Donation Question

Last month, Andrea and I went to the Minnesota Institute of Art on a weekend afternoon.  We needed to get out of the apartment for a little bit and now living in a bigger city, there is more to do.  We got into the car and just drove downtown until we found something to do.  We walked in and found that there was no admission to get in, which is awesome, but a donation box is at the front desk.  There is a printed sign that states 'suggested donation is five dollars.'  I'm not going to lie, I felt a little bad not putting any money in the donation box.  I just expected to pay using a card so didn't have any cash with me.  Now, they do have a traveling exhibit and charge admission into that, so there's that at least. 

The question that comes into play here, is how much do you give and is it ever appropriate to not give?  I'll answer the latter first because that's an easy one.  As we were leaving I mentioned that I felt a little guilty about not giving any money to which Andrea replied 'everyone should get at least one free visit.'  Makes sense and it's something that everyone should be able to get on board with.  I think that this is a place that we could visit every once in a while.  It won't be an every weekend thing, or even a once a month thing.  It might be a once or twice a year thing.  It's big enough that you can't see and appreciate everything in one day so going there multiple times isn't out of the question.  So five dollars, at most twice a year in this written scenario, isn't much.  Twenty dollars for the two of us.  Money well spent. 

Now, as far as how much to give, I think that it depends on how often you go there.  If you are there once a month, do you give the recommended five dollars each time?  Do you stiff them and don't give anything at all (dick move, don't do that)?  Or do you give just a little bit every time you go there?  It'll all depend on the person visiting.  If they are a huge art fan, they may give more than five dollars as they visit.  If they are more like me, not a huge art fan but can still appreciate the talent and skill that most of the artists use (more on that in just a second), and go there quite a bit, a dollar or two each time would be worth it.  It, once again, all depends on the person but I would think and hope that any visitor with a conscience would throw some kind of money into the bin.  If they're a visitor from out of town, what's the harm in showing some appreciation for the institute and give a few dollars?  The amount one gives should be relative to how often they are there, but at the very least, if you are past your 'first time free' visit, throw in a dollar.  It's tons cheaper than going to the movies and you'll be better for it. 

I am not even going to put myself in the same universe as the majority of the artists that have work hanging at the MIA.  I can draw stick figures very well and that's about it.  Even the majority of the modern and post modern artists are fantastic.  HOWEVER, there is some art there that my nephew and nieces could do.  There were two pieces, not joking, that was masking tape strips torn and made into words on a white canvas and framed.  I don't always 'get' art but try to find appreciation for the work that the artists does, but not these pieces.  Two pieces of art by this guy that were the same style, one just had blue tape instead of the regular masking tape.  And then there are the pieces that are just one color on a canvas.  Seriously? 

I would hope that if the zombie apocalypse ever happens, the classic artists come back and just devour those who have defiled the ways of their craft.  Or at the very least, gnaw their hands off.