AAMI Introduces New Accessibility Programs

The African American Museum of Iowa is excited to announce two new partnerships that will increase accessibility to the Museum for people of all backgrounds. Through the Museums for All and Adventure Pass programs, we will be able to offer free and reduced admission to members of the Cedar Rapids community and beyond who may otherwise be unable to visit the Museum. 

Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) encourages people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits. The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting the African American Museum of Iowa for a minimal fee of $1 per person, up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Similar free and reduced admission is available to eligible members of the public at more than 500 museums across the country. More information about Museums for All and a list of participating museums can be found at museums4all.org.

Adventure Pass allows adults (18+) with a valid Cedar Rapids Public Library card to access free admission to museums and other cultural institutions across the state. These passes cover up to 4 people and can be accessed at crlibrary.org/adventure-pass.

The African American Museum of Iowa has committed to these accessibility initiatives because “barriers to access equal barriers to education,” stated Executive Director LaNisha Cassell, “The AAMI’s mission to ‘preserve, exhibit and teach’ must be available to all.”

These new partnerships are part of the AAMI’s ongoing initiatives to ensure that our exhibits are accessible to all audiences. In addition to these programs, the AAMI will continue to offer Museum Day and Blue Star Museums admission. Museum Day (April 4) is an annual event presented by Smithsonian Magazine in which museums across the country offer free admission. Blue Star Museums admission will begin on May 16, providing free admission to active military personnel and their families.