Difference between revisions of "Reciprocal museum programs"
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| − | <li>[//www.aza.org/reciprocity Association of Zoos and Aquariums]. | + | <li>[//www.aza.org/reciprocity Association of Zoos and Aquariums]. Benefits at over 150 North American zoos and aquariums. Includes most major zoos, but a few of the most significant zoos (including the San Diego Zoo Bronx Zoo, and Brookfield Zoo) don't participate. While it includes access to some aquariums and combination zoo/aquariums, it doesn't include most of the major ones. [//www.aza.org/assets/2332/reciprocitychart.pdf Participating members].</li> |
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| + | Unlike the other major programs, you usually only receive a 50% discount, rather than free admission. However, memberships with a smaller set of participating zoos and aquariums will give you free admission with that same set of locations (and 50% off everywhere else). | ||
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Revision as of 14:40, 29 January 2019
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How reciprocal museum programs work
When you become a member of any museum or attraction in the program, you get free access to all of the other participating locations. For example, if you join the Science Museum in your home town, you can freely visit dozens of science museums all around the country.
- You usually are only entitled to "standard" admission. You usually need to pay extra for special exhibits, IMAX movies, and other valued-added attractions. Because these extras are often available as part of a discounted package, if you want the full experience, your discount might not amount to that much.
- Nearby museums are usually not included. With most programs, you WON'T get reciprocal access to any museums that are located close to your home museum. Sometimes "nearby" is defined by an official number of miles, other times it is any location in the same state, and sometimes it is ad-hoc. So, don't expect privileges with other museums in the same metropolitan area or state.
- Joining an out-of-state museum can provide access to all the locations that are close to your home. If you want privileges at all the museums in your area, you can often join a museum in some other city, rather than your favorite nearby museum. While you'll be blocked at locations located nearby the institution you join, you won't be blocked at any of your local locations. There are some downsides to this approach. Your membership money will be supporting the museum you join, rather than the one in your area; and you won't be able to take advantage of many other membership benefits, such as access to special member's only visiting hours or events. With some programs, this approach isn't even possible, as you'll be blocked to local museums based on the address on your ID, rather than the address of the museum you belong to.
- Reciprocal benefits are not available with many less expensive memberships. You'll need to join your local museum at a certain level. Each of the programs enforces a minimum membership cost to access reciprocal benefits. For example, no museum in the program can provide reciprocal benefits with any membership level that costs less than $100 per year.
- The number of guests depends on the type of membership you have. Typically, if you have an individual membership, you'll reciprocal benefits only apply to one person. If you have a family membership, you'll receive benefits based on the family membership of the museum you are visiting, not your home museum.
- Memberships are NOT typically based on the calendar year. They usually last for one year after you join. With some museums and attractions, it can take some time for you to receive your membership card. So, you'll need to apply weeks before you you plan to take advantage of any reciprocal benefits.
Major reciprocal museum programs
While there are many smaller or more specialized reciprocal programs such as the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program (mix of museums in New York state) or Connections (photography museums around the country), that may be interesting based on your location or interest, the following programs include the widest range of the most popular museums and attractions.
Art Museums
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Art Museum Reciprocal Network.
Art Museum Reciprocal Membership Program (Art Institute of Chicago)
Metropolitan Museum of Art (Reciprocal Membership Program.
Modern and Contemporary Museum Reciprocal Membership Program.
Whitney Museum of American Art's Reciprocal Membership Program.
Others
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North American Reciprocal Membership (NARM).
Association of Science and Technology Centers.
Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums.
Smithsonian.
Children's Museum.
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Benefits at over 150 North American zoos and aquariums. Includes most major zoos, but a few of the most significant zoos (including the San Diego Zoo Bronx Zoo, and Brookfield Zoo) don't participate. While it includes access to some aquariums and combination zoo/aquariums, it doesn't include most of the major ones. Participating members.
Unlike the other major programs, you usually only receive a 50% discount, rather than free admission. However, memberships with a smaller set of participating zoos and aquariums will give you free admission with that same set of locations (and 50% off everywhere else).
Multiple programs with the same membership
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