In our ever changing and growing communities, focusing on developing the audience for your museum is essential. We encourage trustees to take an active role in getting to know their museum’s community and potential audience, as well as taking steps to create offerings that will welcome them in.
A prime audience-building opportunity is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the US Department of Defense: Blue Star Museums.
Since 2009, the Blue Star Museums program grants free admission for active duty military families to museums across the country over the summer each year. The program was created to recognize the contributions of US military service members and thank them for their service. School is out, but most importantly summer is relocation time in the military. Whether driving across country to a new base or looking for activities in their new community, the Blue Star list of 2000 + participants is the go-to-resource for museum information. Even if your museum offers free admission, you can encourage service members to visit with a promotion such as free parking or a free beverage in the museum café . As the mother of a Captain USMC and the aunt of a Navy SEAL, I know firsthand how much these incentives matter and are appreciated.
The program is easy to take part in. Register online (must be repeated each year) and you will receive info on admissions eligibility and promotional materials. It's easy to do and to sign up. This year’s program runs from Armed Forces Day (May 18) to Labor Day (September 2). Learn more at the link below!
A prime audience-building opportunity is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the US Department of Defense: Blue Star Museums.
Since 2009, the Blue Star Museums program grants free admission for active duty military families to museums across the country over the summer each year. The program was created to recognize the contributions of US military service members and thank them for their service. School is out, but most importantly summer is relocation time in the military. Whether driving across country to a new base or looking for activities in their new community, the Blue Star list of 2000 + participants is the go-to-resource for museum information. Even if your museum offers free admission, you can encourage service members to visit with a promotion such as free parking or a free beverage in the museum café . As the mother of a Captain USMC and the aunt of a Navy SEAL, I know firsthand how much these incentives matter and are appreciated.
The program is easy to take part in. Register online (must be repeated each year) and you will receive info on admissions eligibility and promotional materials. It's easy to do and to sign up. This year’s program runs from Armed Forces Day (May 18) to Labor Day (September 2). Learn more at the link below!
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