NEW YORK, NY.- Attendance at The Metropolitan Museum of Art reached 5,240,000 visitors during the fiscal year that ends today, June 30, the Museum has announced. This is the first year since 2001 that attendance at the Metropolitan has exceeded five million. The number, which includes attendance at The Cloisters museum and gardens, ranks among the highest in its entire 130-year history. “We are pleased to announce this landmark attendance figure, which underscores the vibrancy of the Metropolitan Museum’s exhibitions and collections for its audiences from around the world. It also sends a signal about the enduring importance of culture and cultural institutions to the public, especially during this period of recession,” stated the Museum’s Director, Thomas P. Campbell. More than 30 exhibitions were presented