Culture Pass, an initiative that gives New York library cardholder free access to many of the city's top cultural institutions, has been a huge success, according to Brooklyn Public Library.
Since its launch in July 2018, the program has given out more than 70,000 free passes to 50 cultural institutions across the city, including the Whitney Museum, the MOMA, the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, as well as performing arts venues like the Second Stage Theater.
Through Culture Pass, participating institutions provide day-passes for library cardholders, which they can reserve online, to a specified museum, cultural heritage site, garden or performance venue, with the option of bringing between one and three guests.
To expand overall awareness and access to the city's cultural landscape, the three public library systems also partnered with 15 cultural organizations to bring educational programs to underserved neighborhoods. The four-month pilot included 142 community programs at 60 branches across the city and brought workshops, readings, artist and author talks to more than 2,200 children, teens and adults.
"Using a library card, this year over 70,000 New Yorkers were able to see some of the finest collections of art anywhere in the world," said Linda E. Johnson, BPL's president and CEO. "As the Culture Pass program begins a second year, we are grateful to the over 50 museums and cultural organizations who have generously provided free passes to library patrons ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to the city's cultural treasures."
Brooklyn institutions participating in Culture Pass include the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Historical Society and the New York Transit Museum, among others. For more details on Culture Pass and its institutions, go here.
