On Armed Forces Day, the Albany Museum of Art will again join with museums across the nation in welcoming the U.S. military and their families through the national Blue Star Museums program this summer.

The program provides free admission to America’s active-duty military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 21 through Labor Day, Sept 5. The list of participating museums may be found online at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

“Admission to the Albany Museum of Art is already free for everyone, but we feel it is important to participate in this annual program as a way to express our sincerest gratitude to our military families,” AMA Executive Director Andrew J. Wulf, Ph.D. said. “In addition, we shall offer free one-year Family Memberships to active-duty personnel and their immediate families.”

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and participating museums across America. During the summer months, free admission is available to currently serving military personnel and up to five members of their families. In addition to the Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, the program includes members of the Reserves, the National Guard, the U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps.

The Family Membership includes AMA member discounts for art camps, art workshops, and other programs, AMA Director of Development and Membership Chloe Hinton said.

“The AMA Family Membership also includes the benefit of participation in the Southeastern Reciprocal Membership Program (SERM), which includes free admission and discounts at more than 300 museums, zoos, and aquariums throughout the Southeast,” Hinton said. “That is a special value for a family who is traveling on vacation and looking for things to do at its destination or at stopovers along the way.”

Military families also have the option to upgrade to the Supporting Member level, which would allow them to participate in the North American Reciprocal Museum Program (NARM). NARM offers free admission and discounts at hundreds of participating museums, aquariums, and zoos across the United States, as well as in Canada and Mexico.

To take advantage of a free AMA membership, an active service member may email Hinton at [email protected].