Community Access

The Museum of Science is committed to engaging participation by all audiences, particularly those from underrepresented cultural and ethnic communities and individuals with disabilities.

Photo © Nicolaus Czarnecki

Partnerships and Collaborations

The Museum is able to reach a wider audience through partnerships and collaborations with community-based organizations that work with underrepresented families, youth, and adults.

These opportunities allow our partners to utilize a number of resources available at the Museum such as the Computer Clubhouse, public events, youth volunteer opportunities that may lead to paid internships, and more.

In return, the Museum gains valuable opportunities for consultation, evaluation, staff development, promotion, and recruitment.

Community Access Program (CAP)

Each year, approximately 19,000 – 24,000 underrepresented visitors benefit from the Community Access Program (CAP). CAP provides free or discounted admission to the Exhibit Halls, IMAX® films, and Planetarium shows to eligible nonprofit organizations.

Eligibility

Groups are eligible for funding if their organization meets the following criteria:

  • Has nonprofit status with a tax-exempt number
  • Works with underrepresented youth or adults (examples might include ESOL, or faith-based programs or shelters)
  • Finds the admission cost a barrier to visiting the Museum of Science
  • Would like to visit during a weekend day, holiday, or during the summer

Please note that your group must have at least one chaperone for every ten people under the age of 18.

Exhibit Halls and Ticketed Offering Add-Ons

Exhibit Halls admission does not include ticketed offerings such as 4-D Theater shows, Butterfly Garden, IMAX films, or Planetarium shows. If you are interested in these add-ons, let us know at the time of reservation as funding is sometimes available. If there is no funding available, a rate of $6.00 – $8.00 per person will be charged.

Book a Reservation

Reserve early! Eligible groups can receive a limited number of free and/or reduced Exhibit Halls admissions per year, subject to availability of funding.

Book your visit by calling 617-723-2500 or 617-589-0417 (TTY) 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Please have the following ready when you call:

  • Contact information
  • Tax ID Number
  • Date and time of your visit

After you book a reservation, you will be mailed a pending confirmation notice. Please review it and call us only if any information is incorrect. Approximately two weeks later, you will be mailed an approval notice with specific funding and balance due, if any.

Agencies Unable to Book a Reservation

Agencies unable to schedule a trip in advance (i.e. shelters, hospital wards, etc.) and meet the above criteria, can contact us for more information about applying for CAP passes.

For more information, contact 617-589-0418 or 617-589-0417 (TTY), mcabrera@mos.org or jboyd@mos.org.

EBT and WIC Cardholders

EBT and WIC cardholders can receive up to four free Exhibit Hall admissions. When arriving at the Museum, cardholder must present valid Massachusetts EBT/WIC card and additional picture ID. Available to Massachusetts residents only. This admission is available on any day the Museum is open.

*Please note: EBT/WIC entry does not apply to ticketed offerings such as 4-D Theater shows, Butterfly Garden, IMAX films, Planetarium shows, or separately ticketed exhibits.

Library Pass Program

In an effort to serve their communities, many public libraries participate in the Museum of Science Library Pass Program. If you're a library patron, this means you can visit the Museum at a significantly reduced rate!

A Museum of Science library pass from your local public library allows up to four people per day to visit the Museum's Exhibit Halls. Contact your local library to find out if they participate and learn how to reserve your pass.

Please note: Discounted entry does not apply to ticketed offerings such as 4-D Theater shows, Butterfly Garden, IMAX films, Planetarium shows, or separately ticketed exhibits.

Special thanks to the Lowell Foundation for their generous support of the Library Pass Program.

Are you interested?

The Museum's Library Pass Program is a great way to provide your patrons the opportunity to experience New England's premier science and technology learning center at a significant discount.

As a participant in the Library Pass Program, you will receive a book of 362 date-specific passes, each allowing admission for up to four people to the Museum's Exhibit Halls for just $10 each. This price represents a substantial savings over our standard ticket prices.

The cost for one year of membership in our Library Pass Program is $700. We can accept payment from your library directly, or from generous individuals or organizations that wish to make this exciting benefit available to library patrons.

If you have any questions regarding the Library Pass Program, email membership@mos.org or call the membership department at 617-589-0180.

Accessibility

To make the Museum more accessible and navigable, the outreach team offers foreign language guides for speakers of other languages as well as the availability of assistive technologies, multisensory exhibits, and other amenities.

Learn more about accessibility

Sponsors

Community Relations funding is sponsored in part by the following generous donors:

  • The Lowell Institute
  • The James and Evelyn Jenks Fund for Community Access
  • The Helene and Norman Cahners Fund
  • The Ned Pearce Memorial Fund
  • The Carl Tilden Keller Fund
  • The Theodore G. Patterson Fund
  • Dr. Alice F Casey
  • Additional corporate funders