Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Portland Art Museum starts offering free school tours Monday. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Earlier this year, a large private donation paid for kids, 17 and younger, to get into the museum.

School children weren’t covered however, because of the expense involved with chaperoning large groups; parking school buses and providing learning materials.

But now, says museum president Brian Ferriso, a pledge from the Bank of America means school children too, will be able to see the art work for free.

Brian Ferriso: “I think it’s all part of a larger initiative of really breaking down the barriers to entering the museum. We feel that our institution is really the people’s institution and it’s really important that this museum is used like a library and is part of the fabric of our city.”

The museum has been criticized for not offering a general free admission night -- as many other major insitutions do.