The museum’s president and CEO Steve Dubnik says the new admission policy will allow people who are in the SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to get into the museum for $3, instead of the general admission price of $16.
He says that should help the museum attract larger audiences and aid those who are facing economic challenges.
“While we think the value that we offer is well worth the price, there are some people who, (find) spending 16 dollars a ticket is a reach and difficult to do and so we wanted to start a program that would enable people who might find that as a barrier, to give them a way to be able to come to the museum,” Dubnik told WXXI News.
Dubnik says this new lower-price program should help more children take advantage of the museum’s exhibits.
“While we’re considered a family museum, we’re really a historical museum that’s focused on education and we focus on the ability of kids in particular to learn through play and so we want to give the families opportunity to see and experience that.”
Dubnik says one reason The Strong museum is able to offer the lower price is with help from some donors.
In Rochester, the George Eastman Museum has been offering free admission for people in the SNAP program for five years now.
The Rochester Museum and Science Center's website says it offers reduced admission of $1 for those who get SNAP benefits.
A spokesperson for the Memorial Art Gallery says that museum is currently discussing some similar options.
