CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kids in grades K-12 will be able to get into both locations of The Mint Museum, starting May 1, so long as they are with an adult.
The promotion goes for an entire year, and also gives free access to college students enrolled in visual and performing arts programs.
Admission is currently free for ages 4 and younger, $6 for those ages 5-17, $15 for adults, discounted at $10 for seniors ages 65 and older, and similarly discounted at $10 for college students with school IDs.
The new promotion comes based on support from Mint Board of Trustees Member Charlotte Wickham, who partnered with Charlotte Ballet dancer Humberto Ramazzina to raise over $425,000 during Charlotte Ballet's 2024 Dancing with the Stars Gala last month.
Of the money the two raised, around $180,000 is going to fund student access to the Mint Museum, while the Charlotte Ballet will be able to use another $180,000 to fund its own programming, including educational outreach.
Wickham believes museums are "places of culture and conversation, where individuals can engage deeply and develop empathy," according to The Mint Museum.
The Mint Museum said it is aiming to gain the financial support needed to extend the free student access beyond the one year, with a larger goal of eventually making both museum locations free for all to attend.