Why is so culture so cheap (sometimes)?

[Bonsoir]

Yesterday I went with my DD to Nancy (a town in Eastern France) to visit the Art Nouveau heritage. We spent almost EUR 200 on train tickets (TGV), far too much on indifferent food, EUR 56 on some very gorgeous and special lasting souvenirs and a similar amount on speciality foods from the region to bring back for friends and family. And we spent a total of EUR 14 on museum tickets and audio guides for the main purpose of our visit, to discover the Ecole de Nancy and the Art Nouveau heritage.

Today I received a confirmation of a reservation I had made for a group of friends to have a private guided tour of the Dries Van Noten exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. A private tailor-made tour guide for up to 25 people costs EUR 120 for 1.5 hours (plus normal EUR 8.5 entrance to museum). I think this is a bargain compared with many things I might do with my time.

Why do we value culture and cultural knowledge so badly that these things are so cheap?

I think you'll find we don't, the galleries and museums are financially supported with taxes and by philanthropists, the value is such that it should be easily available to all. Tax paying Londoners indirectly pay for all the free galleries and museums there for example.

Cheap to the end-user, then.

Sorry, are you stating that it is, or clarifying your original question. Cheap to the end user doesn't mean it isn't valued does it ? Personally I greatly appreciate the amazing free cultural facilities we have in London.

Anything that is subsidised is subsidised for a purpose - to ensure take up, surely?

Plus Lottery money.

Yes, but particularly take up by the people who might not otherwise be able to afford visits to art galleries and museums. I'm not sure I understand your point..?

I think cheap to you is not cheap to me. There are many other days out that are far cheaper. Id love to go the theatre more