Museums for All Offers Discounted Admission Price
BELMONT, N.C. – A newly-implemented program at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden will allow participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) discounted admission into the Garden. The program, effective Oct. 1, admits to up to six people in a household for regular daytime admission at the Garden at just $1 per visitor.
The program is being operated under the auspices of a nationwide program known as Museum for All, an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It includes more than 300 cultural institutions that offer free or reduced admission to people in the SNAP program. Participants simply show their EBT (or Food Stamp Card) to receive the benefit then they pay using cash or other accepted forms of payment.
“We want all members of our community and beyond to have the opportunity to create memories with their families, learn about plants and experience the beauty of nature here at the Garden, and hope that participating in this program can remove some of the barriers for entry,” said Executive Director Patrick Larkin. “Museums for All is an inclusive program that provides a perfect opportunity for us to expand our reach and accessibility since the program is already structured and well-known.”
Larkin added that participation in the Museums for All program meets one of many goals set by the Garden’s strategic plan to reduce barriers to accessibility.
The Garden will be listed at www.museum4all.org and has received training and graphics materials to help with program implementation. The Garden staff had a series of meeting with local social service organizations over the past several months to get their feedback and input on how to implement the program.
“We are thrilled for our local families who might for the first time be able to experience The Garden and its many engagement and enrichment activities,” shared Angi Karchmer, Division Director of Social Services for Gaston DHHS. “We appreciate The Garden removing barriers for the children and families we serve and look forward to helping spread the word about this exciting new opportunity.”
The Garden, working with Loftin Printers, has developed postcards and posters which it will begin delivering to social service organizations and crisis assistance ministries in Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland, Mecklenburg and York counties.
The Garden leadership hopes the message that the Garden is a place for all families to have fun, to learn and have special experiences together resonates. The $1 admission price is also valid on days on which the Garden has special programming that is typically promoted as “free for members or free with general admission.” That includes upcoming events such as Music Fest, Fairy Fest, Bootanical and Día de Los Muertos held this autumn. Classes and nighttime events are not typically included.
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