Access for Everyone Enjoys Strong Growth!

At Madison Children’s Museum, we know learning through play is critically important for the youngest members of our community. But some families face challenges to visiting. Our Access for Everyone programs ensure that everyone can explore, discover, and learn through play together as a part of the Madison Children’s Museum community.

We are proud to say that those access programs are growing by leaps and bounds. In the past two years, our deeply discounted Access Membership program has grown by a dramatic 190%. This means that nearly three times as many under-resourced children and families become members and have year-round access to developmentally critical, open-ended play at the museum.

To provide access programming to so many families, we need community support. Madison Children’s Museum has many community partners who help us with this fundamental work. We are especially thankful to CUNA Mutual Group Foundation, who made an extraordinary leadership investment in the Access for Everyone program. 

“For us, it truly is all about access—regardless of one’s socioeconomic status. We are proud to support this initiative, which delivers on its promise to provide all children and their families, not only with free and/or reduced admission, but access to quality programming that fosters exploration, creativity, and connection to all members in our shared community.”

—Alexzandra Shade, CUNA Mutual Group Director of Corporate Social Responsibility

Deb Gilpin, Alexzandra Shade, and Dani Luckett at the museum.

With the help of CUNA Mutual, our Access for Everyone programs helped nearly 36,000 visitors last year. These programs include the following:

• $1 Access Admissions and $15/year Family Access Memberships offer heavily discounted admission or year-long memberships to families who qualify for any of many different types of assistance programs including, but not limited to, those who live in transitional, subsidized or emergency housing; who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch; or families who face serious illness, disabilities, or unemployment. Last year, nearly 1,300 families purchased a Family Access Membership, while over 13,000 visitors benefited from $1 Access Admissions. Last year the museum removed the requirement for families to present documentation to qualify, further reducing barriers and stigma for those who apply for Access.
• Free Family Nights (held the first Wednesday of every month) offer families all the benefits of the museum during extended evening hours and without admission costs. Over 3,000 visitors enjoyed one of our Free Family Nights last year.
• The Access for School Kids program provides reduced-price group visits and program tours for schools and organizations, based on the number of children who receive free or reduced-price lunch at school. This program served just under 6,500 students last year (55% of group visits).
• Our Teen Workforce program provides first-time job experiences and mentorship for 10+ teens of color each summer to help address local employment disparities.
• Our School-Age Parent Program (SAPAR) serves teen parents, providing their families with free membership to the museum. In partnership with the school district, SAPAR helps approximately 15 new parents yearly, connecting them with community resources, lessons on parenting, and support to finish high school. In addition, reunion events connect current SAPAR parents with about 70 SAPAR alumni, building a community of support for parents and children alike.
• Sensory-Friendly Museum Time is a monthly event that serves, supports, and welcomes families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or sensory processing challenges. During these events, families experience and explore the museum at their own pace, creating more predictability and comfort with the museum experience. These nights also increase awareness of the sensory tools and other resources that are available during general admission hours. Last year we welcomed approximately 500 visitors at eight Sensory Friendly Nights.
• Our First-Time Parent Membership encourages families with infants to use the museum early and often. It provides a free, unlimited admission membership to first-time families through their child’s first 18 months. Over 2,000 new families and their babies are benefiting from the rich early learning opportunities provided by this important program. This membership program has become a model for children’s museums nationally, with Madison Children’s Museum staff attending conferences to speak on panels about its success.
• This June, the museum is also formalizing its practice of offering steeply discounted rentals to community organizations without the means to pay the full rate. The new program is called the Access Partner Rentals program.
  

To continue to make Madison Children’s Museum accessible to all children and families, we ask our visitors and friends to join the annual Access for Everyone campaign. The campaign began on May 16 and continues through June 16. All funds raised through the campaign go directly to these growing programs, ensuring that even more families will benefit in the years to come.

Give today!

During this year’s Access for Everyone campaign, our neighbors at UW Credit Union are providing a $5,000 match that will double all donations made online and at the front desk of the museum. Visitors that make a gift at the museum can decorate a leaf to add to the Access for Everyone trees—one in the museum foyer and the other at UW Credit Union’s E. Mifflin Branch, across the street.

We know that play is more than fun—it is fundamental for child development. Support the Access for Everyone campaign and ensure that all children can learn through play at Madison Children’s Museum.

Give to the Access for Everyone campaign today!