The San Bernardino County Museum announced that it has joined Museums For All, a signature access program of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to encourage families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. The museum’s participation is sponsored by the San Bernardino County Museum Association and U.S. Bank.
The program allows families, up to nine people in a group, to pay $1 per person for admission to the museum by showing an EBT card from any state. In California, the EBT card is called the Golden State Advantage Card and is available to families in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The EBT card is not used for admission payment, which is made by cash or credit/debit card. The program is valid during all public hours, and includes the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands, the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley, and the county’s historic sites.
The Museums for All initiative represents a long stride toward the goal of reaching more children and parents, especially those living in poverty, with the valuable learning resources of museums. The museum joins over 150 others across the nation in offering qualified families visits to museums for a minimal fee, to inspire new skills and interests, ignite creativity and enrich social connections. Museum Director Melissa Russo stated, “by removing this financial barrier, we have an opportunity to provide a high quality museum experience to all children and families in our county – research shows that this exposure can help children’s social and academic development. We’re grateful for the partnership with the San Bernardino County Museum Association and U.S. Bank whose funding will ensure that museum exhibits and programming will be accessible to all.”
The County’s Director of Preschool Services, Diana Alexander, agreed. “What an amazing door to learning and culture this opens up for our most vulnerable population of children and families! I am beyond excited about the positive impact it will have on so many that might otherwise not have the means to access all the wonderful features our county museum offers.”
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Its mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Its grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.
In an increasingly complex world, children’s museums provide a place where all kids can learn through play and exploration with the caring adults in their lives. There are approximately 400 children’s museums around the world, which annually reach more than thirty-one million visitors. ACM provides leadership, professional development, advocacy and resources for its member organizations and individuals. To learn more about ACM and to find an ACM-member children’s museum near you, visit www.ChildrensMuseums.org
Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $450 billion in assets as of March 31, 2017, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the fifth largest commercial bank in the United States. The Company operates 3,091 banking offices in 25 states and 4,838 ATMs, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.
The San Bernardino County Museum’s participation in Museums for All reflects the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.
The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), $5 (child aged 5 to 12), $1 (Museums for All with EBT card). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.