Vizcaya Museum and Gardens recently announced it will join museums nationwide in participating in the 10th summer of Blue Star Museums, a program which provides free admission to our nation’s active duty military personnel and their families during the summer.
The 2019 program began on Saturday, May 18, Armed Forces Day, and will end on Monday, Sept. 2, Labor Day. Military can find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
“We are thrilled to participate as a Blue Star Museum,” said Katie Kapczynski, Vizcaya’s Visitor Services manager. “Vizcaya offers free admission to U.S. military veterans and active duty military personnel all year long and being part of the Blue Star program is another way that we can honor our servicemen and women by extending the offer to include their families.”
In August, Vizcaya is hosting free community art-making workshops, titled Weave. These workshops bring the community together to create illuminated lanterns to be used in an immersive performance on Aug. 10. Blue Star Families are welcome to take part in these free art-making workshops by registering at vizcayatickets.org.
Blue Star Museums is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in collaboration with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums nationwide. First Lady of the United States Melania Trump and Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence are honorary co-chairs of Blue Star Museums 2019.
“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to celebrate the 10th summer of collaborating with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and, especially, the more than 2,000 museums across our nation that make this program possible,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Organizations such as Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are providing wonderful opportunities for military families to share a memorable experience together this summer.”
This year’s participating organizations include fine art, science, history, and children’s museums as well as zoos, aquariums, gardens and more. Museums are welcome to sign up for Blue Star Museums throughout the summer at arts.gov.
“We’ve seen the tremendous impact the Blue Star Museums program brings to our military families, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating a decade of support,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “Not only are museums fun to explore but are also great for making memories and strengthening military families as a whole.”
A.T. Johnston, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy, said, “The Defense Department congratulates Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts on reaching an incredible milestone — 10 years of service to the military community though Blue Star Museums.
“We offer our sincere gratitude to the more than 2,000 museums across the country who open their doors through this wonderful program. Your patriotism and generosity have enriched the lives and experiences of our military families,” Johnston added.
The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
