Speed Art Museum doing away with free Sunday admission. What we know

Sean Scully's "30," 2018.

A popular perk which has allowed thousands of guests to visit Louisville's Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. Third St. for free, is coming to an end.

According to a statement from the museum, the free admission program, made available through the generosity of donors, will be eliminated in 2026.

Beginning in January, the museum will transition from weekly free admission on Sundays to a once a month Pay-What-You-Can held on the third Sunday of each month. Guests will pay standard general admission prices the remaining Sundays of each month. The first Pay-What-You-Can Sunday is Jan. 18, 2026.

"Since 2011, weekly free Sundays have been made possible through generous donor and grant support. With decreased funding and rising operational costs, we can no longer sustain weekly free admission without impacting essential programs and operations. Pay-What-You-Can Sundays helps us keep art accessible for everyone while supporting the museum’s long-term sustainability," according to the Speed Museum statement.

The Speed will continue to participate in the nationwide Museums for All program, which offers free general admission for anyone with a state-issued SNAP EBT card and valid photo ID, plus up to three guests. Additionally, museum members always receive free admission, including to special exhibitions. 

"This change allows us to continue offering meaningful, accessible admission opportunities while also ensuring the financial sustainability of the museum’s exhibitions, operations, and core programs," the museum statement continues. "We’re committed to keeping the Speed welcoming and accessible for everyone — Pay-What-You-Can Sunday will be a cornerstone of that commitment."

  • Clothed figure drawing  
  • K-12 tours and university tours (on hold)
  • Memories at the Museum – offered once a month on the seconnd Thursday (previously it was offered twice a month)  
  • Creative-making programs
  • Adult workshops
  • Family programming
  • Summer camps, including the summer portfolio intensive
  • Teen Art Lab

To help keep the public informed about ongoing programming changes, visit speedmuseum.org. And for updated listings of current and future exhibitions, lectures and Speed Cinema screenings, refer to the Speed Art Museum's Events Calendar.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected]. 

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