Every summer since 2010 more than 2,000 museums across the country have offered free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Portland Art Museum has been a proud participant since 2013. The program is collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense.
“The Blue Star Museums program is a fun, free activity for military families to enjoy during the summer months,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “The program is also a great way for service member families to connect to their new communities, and it can provide a meaningful way for families to reconnect after deployment. The Blue Star Museums program is also a perfect way for the arts community to say ‘thank you’ to our service members and their families for the sacrifices they make on our behalf, every day.”
Check out Blue Star Families for ideas to make the most of your visit.
Related Event
Kick off Blue Star Museums Summer of 2016 at our Summer Celebration on Friday, June 17. This free event features paper-making with Drew Cameron of Combat Paper, music, film, photography pop-up exhibition, food, beverages, and more! “We have been interested in hosting Combat Paper for a year now, and we are excited to work with the community to create a unique artwork together,” said organizer Sarah Lampen.