Active military members and their families have the chance to visit museums nationwide for free this summer as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
The Blue Star Museums program is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Blue Star Families (BSF) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense and museums across America to offer free admission to the country’s active-duty military personnel.
“The National Endowment for the Arts is honored to help connect military service members and their families with their communities through the Blue Star Museums program,” said Mary Anne Carter, chair for the National Endowment for the Arts. “Museums and cultural institutions offer countless opportunities for our military to create special memories, celebrate America’s history and connect with our country’s heritage and culture.”
This year’s program has already begun and will continue through Labor Day, Sept.1. Participating museums can be found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. They include history, art, children’s museums, historical sites, botanical gardens, zoos and aquariums.
More than 2,000 museums across the U.S. typically participate in Blue Star Museums each summer. A map of all participating museums is available on arts.gov.
The Blue Star Museums program is an effort to improve the quality of life for active duty military families, especially focusing on the approximately two million children who have had at least one parent deployed since 2001, according to its website. It was created to show support for military families who have faced multiple deployments and the challenges of reintegration.
“For 15 years, Blue Star Museums has opened doors for military families to explore, connect and feel at home in their communities,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “Thanks to our continued partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and participating museums nationwide, we’re proud to continue this tradition of belonging and enrichment. Museums are more than cultural spaces, they’re places where military families feel seen, welcomed and celebrated.”
Museums can join the Blue Star Museums program all summer long. The map will be updated regularly.
This free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States military, which includes the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as the Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps and NOAA Commissioned Corps — and up to five family members.
Qualified members must show one of the listed forms of ID for entrance into a participating museum:
· Geneva Convention common access card
· DD Form 1173 ID Card
· DD Form 1173-1 ID Card
Participating museums range from large institutions like the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago to smaller museums like the Palmer Historical Society in Alaska.
There is no limit on the number of participating museums that eligible parties can visit.
Military personnel and military family members who have questions about the program may contact Blue Star Families at museums@bluestarfam.org. Museums with questions about the program may contact the Arts Endowment at bluestarmuseums@arts.gov.