Bowers Museum Ups Price by $2, Cuts Hours by 5

The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art has raised its prices and reduced its weekly hours by five, officials say.

Admission prices, which have risen $2 in every category, are $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and $4 for children ages 5 to 12. Beginning March 23, the museum will eliminate its Thursday evening hours for lack of attendance, closing at 4 p.m. that day. Regular museum hours are Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Santa Ana museum’s first admission boost in three years was not based on financial need but on a desire to bring prices in line with those at the nearby Discovery Science Center, said James Stathekis, who oversees the Bowers’ administration and finance.

In fact, Bowers now charges the same prices as those at the science center. Admission prices to the Bowers’ children’s museum, the Kidseum, are the same as those at the main institution.