The International Museum of Art & Science has launched a “Pay It Forward” fund with the goal of offering fully funded memberships for families in need. As an expansion of its Membership for All program, which currently serves families who qualify for WIC/SNAP, this program will provide MFA Memberships to first-time members free of charge.
Supporters can fund this program in two ways; purchasing a Visionary Membership to fund three MFA Memberships or making a direct donation to the Pay It Forward program, ensuring that all children, regardless of family income, can gain access to the museum. Individuals and businesses may also make restricted donations anytime to this fund to serve families and individuals who qualify for public assistance. A donation of $25 can fully fund one Family Membership through the Pay It Forward Membership Fund.
Supporting the Pay It Forward program helps IMAS continue to be a destination for accessible, innovative, awe-inspiring learning through diverse art and science experiences that prepare our community for the future.
IMAS will accept applications for sponsored memberships from June 1 through Aug. 31 for the Pay It Forward Membership program in person or on the IMAS website, on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants. Memberships will be issued in Sept. 2023 to be active through the following calendar year.
Members of the community have encouraged and seeded this effort through individual sponsorship of memberships for the public. Most recently, Trucha, a multi-media organization, donated six individual memberships and opened the doors for these first-time museum members to participate in the annual Members’ Juried Art Show at IMAS.