The Philadelphia Museum of Art is again raising admission prices.

Starting Wednesday, admission will cost $16 for adults, $12 for ages 13 to 18, and $14 for seniors - a $2 increase in each category.

In addition, the museum is curtailing its pay-as-you-wish policy from every Sunday to only the first Sunday each month.

Access to the permanent collections will remain free for museum members.

The admission increase is a response to the depressed value of the museum's endowment and other funding shortfalls, a spokesman said.

In a recent cost-cutting program, the museum eliminated 30 positions, cut compensation for senior staff, and postponed exhibitions.

"The museum is facing unprecedented challenges due to the current economic crisis," wrote board chair H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest and other museum leaders in a newsletter reaching supporters this week. The museum will continue to examine a variety of revenue and cost-cutting measures, they wrote.

Two years ago, the museum raised senior admission by $3 and the rest by $2. Since 1997, prices have more than doubled for adults and more than tripled for seniors.

Philadelphia public-school groups and children younger than 12 can continue to visit for free.

Contact culture writer Peter Dobrin at 215-854-5611 or pdobrin@phillynews.com.