How Much Does the Metropolitan Museum of Art Make a Year?

Art|Art Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest and most renowned art museums in the world. Founded in 1870, the museum has an expansive collection that includes works from thousands of years of human history, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary pieces. As a result, the Met is a popular destination for tourists and art enthusiasts alike.

The Met’s financial success has been well-documented over the years. In 2019, the museum reported a total operating revenue of $480 million, with $175 million coming from admissions alone. The remaining $305 million was made up primarily of contributed income (gifts and grants), investment income, and royalties.

The Met also relies on its endowment to cover expenses – including payroll, utilities and other operating costs – that exceed its operating revenue. The endowment stood at nearly $3 billion as of fiscal year 2019.

In addition to ticket sales, the museum also makes money through retail sales. The Met Store sells merchandise based on objects in its collections, including books, jewelry, home decor items and apparel. In 2019, retail sales totaled nearly $43 million.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art also generates income from special events – such as gala dinners and corporate sponsorships – as well as investments. The museum reported total investment income of nearly $30 million for fiscal year 2019.

Conclusion

In total, The Metropolitan Museum of Art makes an estimated annual revenue of around $553 million dollars each year from admissions fees, contributed income, investment income and retail sales.