The American Museum of Natural History on Friday announced a free membership for New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The new “Discoverer” membership level includes free general admission plus entry to one ticketed exhibition during every visit. The initiative is a joint effort by the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Human Resources Administration, and Department of Social Services.
Several museums across the city offer free admission to SNAP beneficiaries as part of the Museum for All program. The AMNH initiative goes further by providing a complimentary membership for one year, which can be renewed annually in person at the museum.
SNAP recipients can become Discoverer members by presenting their EBT card during a museum visit. They’ll receive a digital membership card and can begin using their benefits the same day. Once enrolled, members can reserve tickets in advance through the museum’s website. Members can use their membership for one year and renew it annually in person at the museum.
During Discoverer’s first year, the museum will expand its public outreach across all five boroughs to engage more New Yorkers and identify and address barriers to visitation. The HRA will support the effort through direct notifications to beneficiaries, community outreach, and digital marketing.
The debut of the new membership coincides with the launch of the museum’s seventh space show at the Hayden Planetarium, “Encounters in the Milky Way.”
Sean M. Decatur, president of AMNH, expressed enthusiasm for the new membership and emphasized how it reflects the museum’s core values.
“We are thrilled to partner with Commissioner Laurie Cumbo and our colleagues in the City administration to ensure Museum access for all New Yorkers and are proud to take the lead in extending these membership benefits to SNAP recipients.”
He continued: “Welcoming a more complete and representative reflection of our neighbors as Members is a major focus and aspiration for the Museum in its role as a key civic and educational institution. The new Discoverer membership exemplifies our conviction that the Museum, and science, belong to everyone, and everyone belongs at the Museum. I hope our new Member families will enjoy many days of fun, learning, and enrichment here.”
The membership also includes admission to one ticketed exhibition per visit—such as the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, the Invisible Worlds immersive experience, the space show, and more—for each SNAP cardholder and up to four guests.
“The American Museum of Natural History is one of the crown jewels of New York City’s cultural landscape, a place where generations of families have come together to explore, learn, and be inspired by the wonders of the natural world,” DCLA Commissioner Laurie Cumbo said.
“From the one-of-a-kind butterfly vivarium, to immersive shows like Encounters in the Milky Way, and the astounding Invisible Worlds experience, the new Discoverer membership gives free access to special exhibitions and helps to build bridges to underserved communities across the city that can now experience the full wonders of AMNH.”
Sign up for a Discoverer membership by showing a New York State EBT card at the Museum Member Desk between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
According to the city, about 1.8 million low-income New York City residents rely on SNAP. President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” cuts $186 billion from the program over 10 years, which will put food assistance in jeopardy for three million New Yorkers.
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