The Discovery Center has announced a new partnership with Museums for All, a program that allows those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to gain free or reduced admission to over 1,000 museums throughout the United States.
Through the Museums for All program, the Discovery Center (701 NE Sanchez Avenue in Ocala) will provide free admission to its exhibits, though add-on programming such as the Star Lab will not be included. In addition, valid cardholders will be able to bring up to three additional guests per visit at no cost.
The goal of this program is to remove financial barriers that may prevent families from accessing museums and to “ensure that they develop a love for museums that will stay with them throughout their lives,” according to a press release from the City of Ocala.
The city also highlighted that affordable museum experiences can encourage students to visit facilities offering hands-on learning that complement the teachings in the classroom.
The Museums for All program is open to participation by any type of museum including: art, history, natural history/anthropology, and general museums; children’s museums; science centers; planetariums; nature centers; historic houses/sites; zoos; aquariums; botanical gardens; and arboretums.
A full list of the participating museums can be found on the Museums for All website.
“We are excited to be part of the Museums for All initiative,” stated Preston Pooser, Director of the Ocala Recreation and Parks Department. “The Discovery Center is a STEAM education hub in our community that provides opportunities for children, teens, and adults to explore their interests.”
Pooser added, “Our mission is to build a better future by inspiring curiosity and creativity, and we believe that the best way to do that is by giving everyone access to hands-on experiences.”
The Discovery Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The regular admission price is $8 per person, and it is reduced to $7 for seniors and veterans. Children ages 2 and under get in for free.
For more information, contact the Discovery Center via phone (352-401-3900) or email: (discovery@ocalafl.gov).