For Immediate Release: September 23, 2019
Contact: Deana Mallory, Director of Programming
dmallory@benningtonmuseum.org
802-447-1571 ext. 203
Image: Never Too Young to Visit the Museum
Bennington Museum Expands Free Admission
Bennington Museum is proud to announce its participation in Museums for All offering access for families of all backgrounds to visit the Museum often and begin their enjoyment of art, history, and innovation. Through this program, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 300 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card and photo ID. At Bennington Museum, admission is free for up to four visitors each visit, and the visits ae unlimited. Museums for All is a cooperative initiative between the Association of Children’s Museum and Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Museums for All is a national, branded access program that encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. The cost of museum admission can be a barrier for many low-income families. Bennington Museum is working to overcome that by offering free admission to visitors presenting their EBT card. This free admission is available during all normal operating hours. With a year-round open-door policy, Museums for All invites low-income visitors to feel welcome at cultural institutions.
Since the launch of the initiative in 2014/2015, Museums for All has served more than 1.9 million visitors nationwide at more than 400 museums of all varieties, representing 48 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency based in Washington, DC, and is administered by the Association of Children’s Museums through a cooperative agreement with IMLS. The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) champions children’s museums worldwide, with more than 460 members in 50 states and 20 countries. It is the world’s foremost professional society supporting and advocating on behalf of children’s museums, and those who work at them. They leverage their collective knowledge through convening, sharing and then disseminating that information.
The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. They advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. “Their vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. Bennington Museum wanted to be a part of that mission and in doing so, hopes to transform the lives of people who might not have had the opportunity to visit.” states Deana Mallory, Acting Director of programming. “In addition to Museum ABCs, a program for pre-school children and their caregivers, and our regular school programs which see over 2,000 children a year, we felt this program furthered Bennington Museum’s outreach into the communities we serve.”
About the Museum
Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main Street (Route 9), Bennington, in The Shires of Vermont. The Museum is open daily, 10 am to 5 pm June through October. It is wheelchair accessible. Regular admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students over 18. Admission is never charged for younger students, museum members, or to visit the museum shop. Visit the museum’s website www.benningtonmuseum.org or call 802-447-1571 for more information.