Members of US Military Can See Art For Free This Summer

A handful of Pittsburgh area museums will be offering free admission this summer to active military personnel and their families. The head of the National Endowment for the Arts, in conjunction with Blue Stars Families asked museums across the country to offer the free admissions. The Frick Art & Historical Center is one of more than 600 museums that said yes. “We are pleased to join museums across the U.S. by participating in Blue Star Museums,” said Frick Director Bill Bodine. “Offering free admission is a way of showing gratitude and support to our country’s military personnel and their families.” Bodine says he knows this will mean a slight hit on the museum’s bottom line this summer but he thinks it is worth it. He also notes that anytime a museum can expand its reach in the community it is a good thing. The museum always offers a discount to members of the military.

Blue Star Museums runs from Memorial Day, May 31 through to Labor Day, September 6, 2010. Members of the military must show their ID to get themselves and up to five family members into the museums.

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, The Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area and the Andy Warhol Museum are all taking part in the program. A list of all the participating museums can be found online.