A snap of goodwill is now being offered to some of New York City’s most underserved communities when it comes to arts and culture.
The American Museum of Natural History announced this week a free membership for New York residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In the wake of President Trump signing a budget bill that will cut $186 billion from the program over the course of 10 years, the museum has introduced a new “Discoverer” membership level that includes free general admission and entry to one ticketed exhibition per visit for each New York SNAP EBT cardholder and up to four of their guests.
SNAP recipients can sign up for the Discoverer program by presenting their EBT card at the Museum Member Desk, and begin using their membership that same day. Once enrolled, they’ll receive a digital membership card and be able to reserve advance tickets on the museum’s website.
The free membership is valid for one year and can be renewed annually in person at the museum, located on West 81st St. and Central Park West.
New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Human Resources Administration and Department of Social Services teamed up with the museum for the effort. The city projects that about 1.8 million low-income residents rely on the program formerly known as food stamps.
“Welcoming a more complete and representative reflection of our neighbors as members is a major focus and aspiration for the museum in its role as a key civic and educational institution,” American Museum of Natural History President Sean M. Decatur said in a statement. “The new Discoverer membership exemplifies our conviction that the museum, and science, belong to everyone, and everyone belongs at the museum.”
The museum also said its planning to expand its public outreach across all five boroughs to engage with more city residents and will identify and address barriers to visitation during the first year of the new program. The Human Resources Administration will support the initiative via digital marketing efforts.
