Beginning on March 29, The Bronx Museum of Arts made its admission fee a part of history.
The museum, which is located at 1040 Grand Concourse at 165th Street, has announced that general admission to the museum and its exhibitions will be free for all visitors as part of the institution’s 40th anniversary celebration.
The museum is launching the free admission initiative to ensure it is accessible to members of the Bronx community and all visitors from across the city.
“At a time when other New York City museums are raising their admission fees, we have chosen to focus on increasing access to the museum as a resource for our community thanks to the support of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York Community Trust,” said Holly Block, executive director of The Bronx Museum of the Arts. “In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we are giving back to the Bronx community by not only offering free admission, but also “adopting” 40 neighborhood schools—enabling hundreds of children to experience the benefits of arts education.”
Support of the Bronx Museum’s free admission initiative has been made possible by The New York Community Trust.
The free admission initiative was announced at the museum’s 40th anniversary gala, which honored: visual artist Willie Cole; actor, dancer, choreographer, and philanthropist Darrin Henson; architect Daniel Libeskind; Bronx-born gallerist Bonni Benrubi; Robert Sancho of the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center; and the Sciame Construction Company.
The museum is also celebrating its 40th anniversary by bringing the arts to 40 “adopted” Bronx public schools, many of which do not offer art classes or programming.
Education staff and instructors from the museum will conduct a pre-visit trip to each school to meet with teachers and discuss their educations goals, and then schedule a visit with students for a tour and art making activity facilitated by the museum.
“For over 40 years, the Bronx Museum of Art has presented innovative exhibitions ranging from fine art to urban design, and its hands-on art education programs ensure that there is something for everyone to experience and enjoy,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin. “Now, thanks to a public-private partnership with the New York Community Trust, the Museum’s new free admission policy will expand its commitment to welcoming New Yorkers from across the boroughs and beyond.”
