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Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Joins the Institute of Museum and Library Services Signature Access Program
December 17th, 2024 | In The News
The Valley Ledger
The Museums for All program supports low-income families visiting the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (October 7, 2024)—Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) announced today it has joined the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS) signature access program, Museums for All. The program, administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), encourages people of all backgrounds to regularly visit museums and build lifelong museum-going habits.
“Joining the Museums for All program reinforces our organization’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity,” said LoriAnn Wutkitsch, president and CEO of HBMS. “This initiative allows us to extend a warm welcome to all families, ensuring they have the opportunity to experience the rich history and culture of the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem. By participating in this program, we hope to foster a love for museums and learning among our community, making our cultural treasures accessible to everyone.”
The program supports those visiting the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem who receive food assistance (SNAP) benefits. With the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, up to four people can visit the museums for $3 per person.
“We are thrilled to integrate the Museums for All program into our offerings, which will help even more families experience the rich history at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites,” said Charlotte Filiciotto. HBMS’s manager of programs and volunteers. “In addition to Free Sundays at the Kemerer Museum and the Moravian Museum, the Museums for All initiative ensures that all families can explore and learn together without financial barriers. Our youth activities are designed to inspire curiosity and foster a love for history and culture in our youngest visitors, and joining the Museums for All program enhances our ability to offer regular museum visits to people of all ages and economic backgrounds.”
Since the launch of the initiative in 2014, Museums for All has served more than 9 million visitors nationwide at more than 1,300 museums of all varieties, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Museums for All is the only nationally coordinated financial accessibility program in the museum field, providing an easy-to-implement structure and the ability for participating museums to customize their implementation.
Read the article on The Valley Ledger here.
