The Springfield Museums have obtained a grant that can permit the group to supply free admissions on the primary Wednesday of every month for the subsequent three years.
The $800,000 grant from the Artwork Bridges Basis’s new “Entry for All” initiative is supposed to make museums accessible to extra individuals.
Kay Simpson, president of the Springfield Museums, stated the muse’s contribution will eradicate cash as a barrier for individuals to come back benefit from the museums.
“I believe their objective, their philosophy is to essentially make museums inclusive. And… everyone knows price is usually a barrier. So by eradicating that, the hope is to essentially deliver extra individuals into museums typically, and our museums specifically,” Simpson stated.
Simpson stated it is thrilling to be chosen for the initiative.
“That is actually superb and unprecedented to get this stage of funding from a personal basis. So, it is actually simply celebratory for us,” she stated.
Simpson stated there was a push to extend attendance at museums throughout the nation.
Many museums are at present seeing simply 71% of their pre-pandemic attendance. The brand new initiative will intention to revive pre-pandemic ranges.
“Not solely do we predict that we are going to return to pre-pandemic ranges, we predict that we’re actually going to have the ability to broaden our viewers and enhance our visitation,” Simpson stated.
Attendance on the Springfield Museums has been rising steadily over the previous two years, and particularly in 2023. From July by September of this yr, attendance is simply 4% under the identical interval in 2018.
The Museums will introduce “Free First Wednesdays,” starting in January 2024. Springfield residents have already got entry to free admission into the museums.
This story is a manufacturing of the New England Information Collaborative. It was initially published by New England Public Media.
Disclosure: Springfield Museums is a monetary supporter of NEPM. Our newsroom operates independently of the station’s fundraising division.
