Free summer museum access for veterans

Appleton Museum of Art; courtesy of Maven photo + film.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, has joined museums across America in the Blue Star Museums initiative, which will provide free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer.

Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums. The 2024 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, May 18, and end Labor Day, Sept. 2.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps and NOAA Commissioned Corps—and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Conventions common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

The Appleton extends free entry to U.S. military veterans, who receive free admission year-round. Veterans can show a Veteran ID Card (VIC), Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) or the veterans designation on their state-issued driver’s license or ID for entrance.

“Our founder, Arthur I. Appleton, served as a Navy lieutenant during World War II and the Appleton team is composed of over 30% veterans. We are pleased to once again join the Blue Star Museums program, and also extend free entry to veterans,” said Appleton Director Jason Steuber, in the news release.

“We are grateful to the Appleton Museum of Art for participating in this summer’s Blue Star Museums program and we hope military families will take this opportunity to create meaningful, lifelong memories,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Whether you are traveling this summer, getting to know a new duty location or exploring what your community has to offer, Blue Star Museums is a wonderful opportunity to create connection and find inspiration.”

In addition to the Appleton Museum of Art, the Blue Star Museums program includes children’s museums, art, science and history museums, zoos, gardens, lighthouses and more, in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The current list of participating museums will continue to grow as organizations are welcome to register to be a Blue Star Museum throughout the summer. Find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums

To learn more about the Appleton, go to appletonmuseum.org