Knights of Pythias membership scroll from Wikimedia Commons
When most people think of "getting a membership" it usually evokes visions of a health club, or something vague involving golf. In the Twin Cities, this may also include a membership to Minnesota Public Radio which is in its own way some sort of hipster in-crowd card to flash. Most people do not think of museums. Although they are interactive, social and one of the best ways to see things you would otherwise never get a chance to, people are only now getting beyond the concept of museums as "strictly educational."
Museums memberships are one of those hidden, money-saving treats that benefit both sides of the transaction : you, the member, get to enjoy cool stuff ranging from free exhibits to members-only parties to discounts. The museum, thanks to your membership, gets to enjoy the benefits of staying open, changing exhibitions and paying their staff. Since most museums are non-profit organizations, your membership is usually tax deductible making the entire membership scenario a win-win all around.
A careful selection of museum memberships around the Twin Cities can keep you flush in affordable entertainment from year to year - at a fraction of what it might cost you to go to museum events sans that in-card.
- Walker Art Center offers its members free admission daily, discounts on event tickets, at the gift shop and at their restaurant and invitations to the many special events the center hosts.
- Minneapolis Institute of the Arts membership gives a free pass to their ticketed exhibitions and access to members-only events and publications.
- The Minnesota Historical Society gives members free or discounted admission to over 20 historic locations, access to members only events and discounts on historical-society related shopping.
- The Minnesota Science Musuem membership gives free access to all permanent exhibitions, one free omnitheater admission pass and a discount when you bring a guest.
- The Bell Museum also offers regular free admission and free guest passes, as well as discounts on program registrations. It also gets you a $5 discount off of a Minnesota Science Museum membership.
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