There are a number of ways to get into local museums for free regularly: at Tacoma Art Museum’s quarterly Sunday community festivals (there’s one coming up on Nov. 4), from 5-8 p.m. on third Thursdays (Oct. 18 is the next) and with an anytime Art Access Pass borrowed from the Tacoma and Pierce County libraries.
This weekend, though, you have another chance.
On Saturday, local museums will open their doors to all, along with more than 1,400 other museums around the country, for the Smithsonian’s eighth annual Museum Day Live.
Museum Day Live is hosted by Smithsonian Magazine to encourage other institutions to emulate the free admission policy at the Smithsonian Institution’s facilities in Washington, D.C., and encourage learning.
“We believe that art should be accessible to everyone, and Museum Day Live is a great opportunity for the community to experience all that Tacoma Art Museum has to offer,” TAM director Stephanie Stebich said.
Among local museums participating this year are:
• Tacoma Art Museum
• Children’s Museum
• Fort Nisqually
• Harbor History Museum
• Fort Steilacoom
• Museum of Glass
• Seattle Art Museum
• Museum of Flight
• Washington State History Museum
To get free admission, however, you need to fill out a form online at smithsonianmag.com/museumday, which will get your ticket emailed to you. It’s good for two members of one household; others will have to pay admission.
Last year, the event attracted more than 350,000 museum-goers nationwide, so arrive early for the best views.
For more information about Museum Day Live and a list of participating institutions, go to smithsonian.com/museumday.
rosemary.ponnekanti@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8568 blog.thenewstribune.com/arts
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