Museum gives military free admission

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DAYTON — The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) has announced its participation in the 2016 Blue Star Museums program, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve and their families through Labor Day 2016.

The program also provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation’s cultural heritage and learn more about their new communities after a military move. A complete list of participating museums is available at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

“It’s an honor for the Dayton Art Institute to be able to participate in the Blue Star Museums program again this year,” Institute Director and CEO Michael R. Roediger. “Our military personnel and their families make so many sacrifices to protect our country. Blue Star Museums is an important way for the DAI and other museums throughout the country to thank them and give something back to them.”

During the program, the DAI will waive its suggested admission fee and offer free general admission to its permanent collection for all active-duty military personnel and their families, as well as discounted admission to the special exhibitions “Into the Ether: Contemporary Light Artists,” on view through June 26, and “The Antarctic Sublime & Elements of Nature: Water,” on view July 16-Oct. 16.

In addition, the DAI will offer active duty military personnel and their families a $10 discount on the purchase of a new museum membership or membership renewal.

“The Blue Star Museums program is a fun, free activity for military families to enjoy during the summer months,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “The program is also a great way for service member families to connect to their new communities, and it can provide a meaningful way for families to reconnect after deployment. The Blue Star Museums program is also a perfect way for the arts community to say ‘thank you’ to our service members and their families for the sacrifices they make on our behalf, every day.”

“Blue Star Museums has grown into a nationally recognized program that service members and their families look forward to each year,” said Blue Star Families Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roth-Douquet. “It helps bring our local military and civilian communities together, and offers families fun and enriching activities in their home towns. We are thrilled with the continued growth of the program and the unparalleled opportunities it offers.”

This year, more than 2,000 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative.

The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members.

For information, call 937-223-4278.

Staff report

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