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Columbus attractions join forces to make museums accessible for all

Jul 06, 2021

Barbara Hammer opening

Beginning July 12, 2021, the Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Ohio History Center and Ohio Village and the Wexner Center for the Arts will launch Museums for All Columbus and will work to understand and eliminate the additional barriers to attending museums in Columbus.

Museums for All is a national program focused on removing financial barriers to visiting museums and cultural centers. In 2020, these six Columbus museums made a commitment to come together to become one of a few Museums for All Hub Cities. Each organization made a pledge to dig deeper to understand the additional barriers that prevent people from visiting museums. 

In an effort to remove a financial barrier, each organization is providing admission discounts that range from free to $3.45 per person. The Wex will offer free gallery admission but each museum is a little different, so those interested in learning more about Museums for All should visit the participating museum’s website:

Columbus Museum of Art
COSI
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Ohio HIstory Center and Ohio Village

Museums for All statement

“While admission costs are a barrier, they are not the only factor in why someone chooses not to visit a museum. Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Ohio History Connection and the Wexner Center for the Arts acknowledge that there is more work to be done. Earlier this year, we partnered with the Columbus Foundation to engage in a practice of listening with underserved and underrepresented people. Each of us and our institutions also committed to examine and align operations and resources to support greater access; re-evaluate and re-design programming and re-evaluate and re-design communication practices. Columbus is a diverse city with a rich culture, and launching Museums for All Columbus is the first step in providing an opportunity for people to come together, learn something new and spend quality time with family, friends and our community.”

Top of page: Public preview of Barbara Hammer's Wexner Center Artist Residency Award-supported project Evidentiary Bodies with live cello accompaniment by N. Scott Johnson; photo: Kathryn D Studios

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