New “Pay What You Can” Day Every First Sunday of the Month at the McCord Stewart Museum

The Museum is pursuing its commitment to keeping culture accessible

Montreal, March 25, 2025. – Culture will remain affordable for all at the McCord Stewart Museum every first Sunday of the month thanks to the new “Pay What You Can” model. Following the provincial government’s decision to restrict free first Sundays at museums to visitors under the age of 20, the Museum is committing to keeping this popular monthly initiative on the calendar so that culture can remain accessible to everyone, no matter their financial resources. Starting April 1, people who wish to visit the Museum on the first Sunday of the month will be able to pay what they want when they book their ticket.

Supporting access to culture

Before the government’s recent decision to reduce the scope of the free program, more than a thousand visitors on average benefitted from free access to the Museum’s exhibitions and cultural, educational and community activities every first Sunday of the month.

“The popularity of this universal free program, which has been a hit with visitors since 2018, reflects Quebecers’ appetite and curiosity for artistic and historical experiences. Like the majority of cultural institutions, we operate on ever-shrinking budgets, but we strongly believe in the importance of protecting this monthly program. Access to and participation in cultural life are vital to thriving and resilient individuals and communities,” says Anne Eschapasse, President and CEO.

Key facts

• Starting April 2025, the Museum will be “Pay What You Can” every first Sunday of the month.
• The Museum is always free for people aged 17 and under, members of Indigenous communities and Museum Members.
• Wednesday evenings are free after 5 p.m., with the exception of 2nd floor exhibitions, which are at the reduced rate of $10.
• The Museum also hosts a wide range of free cultural and community activities all year round.
• 39,000 people benefited from free initiatives at the Museum in 2024–2025.

“The Museum also wishes to acknowledge the invaluable support of the Fondation J.A. DeSève (free admission for children 12 and under), the Rossy Foundation (free for teens aged 13 to 17), and BMO Financial Group (free Wednesday evenings), who help our accessibility program reach a wide audience. Thanks to them, the Museum is able to pursue its mission of sharing Montreal’s rich social history with more visitors and inspiring young people’s curiosity,” says Amélie Saint-Pierre, Executive Director of the McCord Stewart Museum Foundation.