In the spirit of honoring the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and other civil rights activists this past weekend, the International Art Museum of America is happy to announce our continued collaboration with Museums for All in 2024. Since joining the program in July 2023, this initiative has brought many visitors to IAMA, ensuring that art and culture are truly accessible to everyone, regardless of financial means. Our mission at IAMA is to provide an inclusive space for visitors to experience cultural art in San Francisco, and the Museums For All program helps us further our mission by reaching traditionally underserved communities.
What is “Museums For All”?
Museums for All is a national, branded access program dedicated to making museums accessible to individuals of all backgrounds. Any museum type of institution is welcome to participate in the program. Museums for All is an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency based in Washington, DC. It is administered by the Association of Children’s Museums and IMLS. By providing free or discounted admission (up to a maximum of $3.00), Museums for All helps expand access to museums and raise public awareness about how museums in the U.S. are reaching their entire communities. By addressing financial and logistical barriers to visitation, Museums for All also aspires to be an effective strategy for mitigating the social and academic barriers individuals face when they are not exposed to high-quality museum experiences. To learn more about this initiative, please visit the Museums for All website.
Breaking Down Barriers: Museums for All recognizes the importance of equal access to cultural experiences, especially for low-income families. Instead of confining reduced admission to a specific day of the week or month, participating museums, including IAMA, are implementing a “year-round open door policy.” This groundbreaking approach ensures that reduced admission rates are available during all normal operating hours, maximizing flexibility for visitors.
Affordable Art Appreciation: With a year-round open door policy, IAMA provides free admission to all, including individuals and families who present a SNAP or EBT card at our front desk. Museums for All at IAMA is empowering underserved communities to embrace the beauty of art while encouraging lifelong museum habits. This initiative not only provides affordable access but also removes the limitations often associated with designated days, empowering the community to engage with art on their time and terms.
Museum access for all, especially for those in underserved communities, is vital for fostering cultural inclusivity and equal educational opportunities. By providing increased access to art and cultural institutions, individuals from diverse backgrounds can develop deeper a connection to art, creativity, and the beauty of human expression.
Day of Play, September 2023
Our most successful event since joining Museums For All in July 2023 was the Day of Play event in September 2023. Worldwide Day of Play is part of Nickelodeon’s Our World global initiative in collaboration with the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) to inspire kids and provide them with tools to activate their individual and collective agency. As part of a network of than 300 ACM member children’s museums, that reach millions of families in North America, and the more than 1,000 museums participating in Museums for All, IAMA was a vital collaborator in the Our World: Worldwide Day of Play. Bringing in over 35 visitors, people of all ages were able to experience the power of play and fun learning for free through arts and crafts, storytelling, and more.
On the morning of our Day of Play, IAMA offered children’s yoga with San Francisco yoga instructor Jennifer Sohn, to get children up and moving! Later, in the early afternoon, children and families gathered around for a storytelling session and mini-art lesson with the IAMA Event Coordinator. Listeners learned about the value of making a mark on the world after hearing Peter H. Reynolds’ books: “The Line” and “The Dot.” Afterward, they did just that using any art supplies to create a piece of art based on a single line or dot! At the end of the day, children were invited on a special guided tour – a tour with a scavenger hunt twist. The IAMA also offered arts-and-crafts tables with coloring pages, Chinese paper lantern making, watercolor or acrylic painting, and rock painting activities throughout the day.
Day of Play was a great day for all involved, and with the community’s support and participation, IAMA not only hopes to repeat the event annually, but to also host more art events and programs like this one in the coming year!
As we embark on this exciting journey with Museums for All in 2024, the International Art Museum of America invites you to be a part of a community that values art, accessibility, and inclusivity. We look forward to breaking down barriers, opening doors, and fostering a love for art that transcends financial constraints. Come join us in celebrating the power of art to inspire, educate, and unite us all. Keep an eye on our Events Calendar for Museums for All sponsored events throughout this year. Together, let’s make art truly accessible for everyone!
