The MAX offers free admission to military families through Blue Star program

The Meridian Star, Miss.
·2 min read
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May 11—The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience will once again join museums nationwide in offering free admission to active-duty American military families during the 2024 Blue Star Museums program. This year's program begins May 18, Armed Forces Day, and concludes Sept. 2.

Last year, more than 1,700 museums participated in the Blue Star program, a broad collaboration that includes the National Endowment for the Arts, the Blue Star Families support organization and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, as well as up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card, DD Form 1173 ID card, DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

Nearly 400 people visited The MAX through the program previously, and its staff hopes to see more military families — from Mississippi and beyond — view the museum's exhibits and programs.

"The MAX is pleased to serve as an important cultural resource for military families associated with NAS Meridian, the Air National Guard 186th Air Refueling Group and other military installations in the region," said MAX President and CEO Penny Kemp. "The Blue Star effort strengthens our connections with the military community and we hope to see strong interest this year."

The Blue Star program is also a way for The MAX to give back to military service members, who provide a critical source of volunteer support for the museum during major events such as the spring Sipp & Savor festival.

The MAX is reaching out to military bases around the region, encouraging service members to visit Meridian. Elsewhere in the state, the Eudora Welty House and Garden, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson and the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs are also participating in this year's Blue Star program. More details are available at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.