The Figge Art Museum is offering free admission for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cardholders to help increase high-quality museum access for individuals and families of all backgrounds.
In addition to expanding its role in the national Museums for All initiative, the Figge also said it will feature a food and fundraising drive on Saturday, Nov. 8, to benefit the River Bend Food Bank as part of free Second Saturday programming.
Starting now those who present an EBT or SNAP card, along with a photo ID, at the museum will receive year-round free general admission.
“Access to the arts is a vital part of community wellbeing,” Melissa Mohr, the museum’s executive director and CEO, said in a Figge news release. “Expanding our participation in Museums for All is one way we can ensure that everyone, regardless of circumstance, can experience the joy, reflection, and connection that art provides.”
That expanded access aligns with the downtown Davenport museum’s broader commitment to community wellbeing, the release said.
Building on that commitment, the Figge added that it will host the noon-5 p.m food drive during the Nov. 8 Second Saturday free admission day. It also will feature artmaking, wellness, and gallery activities for all ages.
Free admission, donor raffle
Guests who bring non-perishable food items or make monetary donations that day will receive a free admission ticket to use anytime within the next year. Monetary donors also will be entered in a raffle for a gift basket valued at more than $400.
The basket includes:
- A donated original artwork, $150 value.
- A Figge Benefactor Membership, $175 value.
- Additional merchandise and swag, $100+ value.
Every dollar raised for River Bend Food Bank helps provide five meals to those in need in the community. River Bend also shared a list of its most-needed food items. They include: canned fruit, canned meats, tuna, peanut butter, soups, stews, and chili.
“Community connection is at the heart of everything we do,” Ms. Mohr added. “When we open our doors wider – whether through free admission or by supporting local organizations – we help ensure art remains part of a healthy, connected community.”
For more information, visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.
Museums for All is a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM). More than 1,500 museums across the country participate to remove financial barriers and ensure that everyone can experience the learning, creativity, and connection museums make possible.
River Bend Food Bank feeds people experiencing hunger by rescuing, safely storing, and distributing nutritious food. It partners with more than 400 hunger-relief partners in 23 counties in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. The organization is a member of the Feeding America Network. That nationwide nonprofit organization is dedicated to provide support and resources to 200 food banks across the U.S.
