Columbus Museums work together to make museums accessible for all

Beginning July 12, the Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Ohio History Center and Ohio Village and the Wexner Center for the Arts will launch Museums for All Columbus to work to understand and eliminate barriers to attending museums in Columbus.

Museums for All is a national program focused on removing financial barriers to visiting museums and cultural centers. In 2020, these six Columbus museums made a commitment to come together to become a Museums for All Hub City. In addition, each organization made a pledge to dig deeper to understand the additional barriers that prevent people from visiting museums. 

Museums for All Columbus was recently launched in an effort to make it easy and affordable for SNAP recipients to attend museums in Columbus.each organization is providing admission discounts that range from free to $3.45 per person.

Why did Columbus want to become a Museums for All Hub City? 

Many of our museums already offered access programs, including Museums for All. Two years ago, the Columbus Foundation hosted a one-day event called the Big Explore. Columbus museums were a part of the day, which offered free access. Attendance was record-breaking and reinforced that there are many more people we can and want to serve. The Big Explore gave us the awareness that through collaboration, we can make our spaces more accessible.

“While admission costs are a barrier, they are not the only factor in why someone chooses not to visit a museum. Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Ohio History Connection and the Wexner Center for the Arts acknowledge that there is more work to be done. Earlier this year, we partnered with the Columbus Foundation to engage in a practice of listening with underserved and underrepresented people. Each of us and our institutions also committed to examine and align operations and resources to support greater access; re-evaluate and re-design programming and re-evaluate and re-design communication practices. Columbus is a diverse city with a rich culture, and launching Museums for All Columbus is the first step in providing an opportunity for people to come together, learn something new and spend quality time with family, friends and our community.” – Museums for All statement

How does it work?

1. Go to the museum website that you wish to visit.
2. Read how to get your tickets. You can reserve your ticket online for some museums and you can get your tickets in person for other museums.
3. Bring your EBT card (also known as SNAP benefit) to the front desk or guest services. The most you’ll pay for a regular visit is $3 per person. And that’s it!

Each museum is a little different. Some museums are free and some are $1-3 per person. Many museums have special exhibits and they might cost more. Below is the exact information for each participating museum.

Columbus Museum of Art 

• Request a Museums for All ticket at their admissions desk
• Or reserve your ticket online with promo code M4A.
• At CMA both general and special exhibition admission is free.
• Questions about reserving your ticket? Call 614.221.6801
• 480 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215

COSI 

• Through this program, COSI will offer $3 per tickets for up to eight visitors.
• Make a reservation for the date you wish to visit COSI.
• Bring your confirmation email to the COSI box office on the date of your reservation. 
•  Please bring a photo ID and proof of participation in WIC, Ohio Directions or Ohio Medicaid.
• Please note that some exhibitions may be an additional fee. For questions plese contact COSI at call_center@cosi.org or call (614) 228-2674. 
• 333 West Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

• Participants in SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid are eligible for $3 general admission and special engagement tickets. Our Access Members also now qualify for $3 special engagement tickets.
• Proof of Access Family membership or Snap, EBT, WIC or Medicaid will be required at the time of check-in at the front desk.
• Tickets can be reserved in person at the time of your visit or over the phone or online before your visit.
• 1777 E. Broad Street Columbus, OH 43203

National Veterans Memorial and Museum

• Recipients of federal SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid benefits are eligible
• Walk up to our Guest Services area to redeem the benefit
• Email info@nationalvmm.org or call (614) 362-2800 to reserve your tickets
• $1 tickets for up to 7 people (2 Adults and 5 Children per household) with free parking
• 300 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Ohio History Center and Ohio Village

• Email reservations@ohiohistory.org or call 800.686.1541.
• Or simply walk up to our admission area to redeem the benefit.
• You are encouraged to bring your EBT card (also known as SNAP benefit) to the front desk or guest services to redeem your ticket(s). The most you’ll pay for a regular visit is $1 per ticket for up to eight visitors.
• Note this benefit is only redeemable at Ohio Village. For more information on visiting Ohio Village click here. 
• 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus Ohio, 43211

Wexner Center for the Arts

• The Wex will offer free gallery admission
• 1871 North High Street, Columbus Ohio 43210