Museums create fun for local families

Good news is coming from the University of Montana for low-income families in Sanders County with the ability to enjoy the museums in Missoula for free.

Announced through a press release on Thursday, the University of Montana announced that children and families experiencing poverty can now visit four Missoula museums for no entry cost.

Families First Children’s Museum, the Missoula Insectarium, the Montana Natural History Center and the University of Montana spectrUM Discovery Area have joined the nationwide Museums for All Initiative, an effort to ensure that museums are accessible to everyone, regardless of income.

“Life presents enough challenges and hurdles,” said Jen Marangelo, executive director of Missoula Insectarium.

“Access to unique and impactful education opportunities should not be one of them. We’re honored to be part of a program that helps ensure all segments of our community have access to experiences that nurture curiosity and inspire learning,” she added.

The cooperative initiative seen between the Institute of Museum and Library Services as well as the Association of Children’s Museums; the Museums for All is a network of over 200 museums that have committed to offering free or reduced-price admission for Electronic Benefits Transfer cardholders, who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

The four participating museums in Missoula had chosen to provide totally free admission of EBT card holders.

It’s as simple as visitors presenting their EBT cards upon entering to take advantage of free entry into the museums.

“Since 2014, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Association of Children’s Museums have seen over 230 museums adopt the Museums for All program, welcoming over 900,000 visitors through their doors,” said Laura Huerta Migus, executive director of the Association of Children’s Museums.

“We believe that museums have the duty to serve their entire communities, and Museums for All is a great way to extend that invitation to everyone,” she added.

“All four organizations are immensely proud to be part of this nationwide initiative that is moving the needle by providing unprecedented access to museums and exhibits,” said Thurston Elfstrom, executive director of Montana Natural History Center.

With a bevy of choices there are great options for hard struck local families whom are EBT card holders to take a day trip to one of the four museums in Missoula for a day out of learning.