Bristol, Va.-Tenn. (May 3, 2022) – The Birthplace of Country Music Museum (BCMM) has joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits.
The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting the Birthplace of County Music Museum for a minimal fee of $3 per person for up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. This reduced rate is available during BCMM regular operating hours (Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.).
Museums for All invites low-income visitors to feel welcome at cultural institutions with a year-round open-door policy. Similar free and reduced admission is available to eligible members of the public at more than 850 museums across the country.
Dr. René Rodgers, Head Curator of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, is excited about more people having the opportunity to experience the museum. BCMM is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
“This is a wonderful program, and we’re happy that we’re part of it,” she said. “We realize it’s not always financially feasible for everyone who would like to visit the museum to do so, and this makes it possible. Now a lot more folks can come to our incredible museum, learn more about the history of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and our role in the development of early commercial country music, and experience a wide range of traveling exhibits.
“Visiting a museum can inspire people of all ages, especially kids. It can help them develop new skills and interests and enrich social connections. We’re certainly hoping to see a lot of people take advantage of this opportunity.”
BCMM opened in 2014 and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. The museum tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, explores how evolving sound technology shaped their success, and highlights how Bristol’s rich music heritage lives on in today’s music.
Through multiple theater experiences, interactive displays, and artifacts – along with various educational programs, music performances, and community events – the exciting story of those recording sessions and their far-reaching influence comes alive. Rotating exhibitions from guest curators and other institutions, including the Smithsonian, are featured in the Special Exhibits Gallery throughout the year. The museum also houses a research collection, including an extensive digital archive.
Museums for All is a national, branded access program that encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. It 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.
Museums for All is part of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences. Museums for All helps expand access to museums and raises public awareness about how museums in the U.S. reach their entire communities. More than 850 institutions participate in the initiative, including art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, history museums, and more. Participating museums are located nationwide, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
To learn more, please visit Museums4all.org.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant-making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that allow communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)
The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) champions children’s museums worldwide. With more than 460 members in 50 states and 16 countries, ACM leverages the collective knowledge of children’s museums through convening, sharing, and dissemination. Learn more at www.childrensmuseums.org.