Yesterday The Met announced a major update to the Museum’s policy governing the use and reuse of images in our collection: all images of public-domain artworks in the Museum’s collection are now available for free and unrestricted, this updated policy, known as Open Access, enables everyone to utilize more than 375,000 images of public-domain artworks in The Met’s collection in any media without permission or fee.

This is huge leading edge attitude;  by digital open access the Met is tearing down its own walls, giving everyone the opportunity to experience what its collection has to offer. Connecting people to the great masters, their works, their ideas and their knowledge. Allowing more than 5 thousand years of history to be seeing all around the world, inspiring  and educating the masses.

The Met is showing us that art is much more than its cost, it is about its value; and its value increases when it is shared.

There is no good reason why fine art should be “elited.”  It is part of our culture, our history, our own selves.

Here is more details about this policy: Open Access Policy