Dallas Museum of Art to offer free admission

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Museum of Art says it will return to offering free general admission and in addition will launch a free membership program.

The museum announced Tuesday that the free general admission and free membership program will both begin Jan. 21.

The museum's director, Maxwell L. Anderson, says, "We believe that by increasing access to the museum and by finding new ways to say 'thank you,' we can fundamentally change the role museums play in a global society."

With the membership program, members will get a card to track their participation. They'll then earn credits to convert to rewards including access to special programs.

The museum, which had a free general admissions policy up until 2001, will still charge for special exhibitions and some events.