Museums for All partnership to increase the accessibility of high-quality gardens, garden experiences, and educational resources

RICHMOND, VA—Today Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden announced that it 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 gardens and museums regularly and build lifelong habits of visitation and participation. The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for a minimal fee of $1 per person for two adults (Age 18+) and free admission for up to six children (Age 17 and under) with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Similar free and reduced admission is available to eligible members of the public at more than 250 museums across the country, including Richmond’s own Science Museum of Virginia. Museums for All is part of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s broad commitment to invite, welcome, and celebrate all audiences.

 Museums for All helps expand access to museums and also raise public awareness about how museums in the U.S. are reaching their entire communities. Lewis Ginter joins art museums, children’s museums, science centers, zoos, history museums nationwide, in more than 40 states in offering this benefit.

About Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

 The Garden’s mission is to connect people through plants to improve communities. Since 1984, the Garden has served the region through brilliantly designed landscapes, immaculately maintained plant collections, innovative and authentic educational experiences, expanding community engagement initiatives, and advocacy for the stewardship of natural resources. To fulfill the Garden’s core value of hospitality, there have been a number of initiatives undertaken to address the challenge of affordability for some in the region. Generous patrons and sponsors have allowed the Garden to provide pro bono formal children’s education programs. The Share the Garden program has provided admission to thousands of individuals through representative organizations. The sponsored free days have welcomed over 76,000 guests in the last decade. In the current strategic plan, the Board of

Directors wished to “Reduce barriers of affordability by increasing opportunities for reduced cost admission to all Garden events.” In 2011, Lewis Ginter was honored to receive the National Medal for Museum and Library Service from IMLS.  The Garden is now honored to participate in the IMLS Museums for All program.

 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 make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.

 About the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)

The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) champions children’s museums worldwide. With more than 400 members in 48 states and 20 countries, ACM leverages the collective knowledge of children’s museums through convening, sharing, and dissemination. Learn more at www.childrensmuseums.org.

Learn more about Museums for All at the Garden.