In honor of Member Appreciation Month — our annual celebration of the people who make our work possible — we’re diving deeper into the experiences, impacts, and programs that membership sustains.
A museum made for you
Beyond the immediate financial value — it pays for itself in just two visits — membership offers a more relaxed and flexible way to enjoy the museum. Members can visit often, providing a “third space” at low or no cost, and for shorter periods of time, allowing for the ability to squeeze in a quick museum visit around already busy schedules.
“It removes the pressure to see everything at once, and many members appreciate having the museum as a place they can return to again and again,” Senia Sikkink, Visitor Experience Assistant Manager said. “Overall, membership helps visitors feel more connected, more informed, and more at home in the museum.”
Where scientists get their start
A sustained investment in hands-on science learning, a museum membership is essentially a down payment on a lifelong passion for STEM. Jane Dresser, a yearslong museum member who recently expanded her membership to include her grandchildren, has seen this firsthand during museum visits with her family (pictured here).
The group’s continued free access to the museum has sparked a keen interest in the Collectors’ Corner. A few years ago, Jane and her elementary-age grandchildren visited the museum’s trading post to present a wasp nest they had ‘dissected,’ explaining the paper wasps’ lifespans and community organization. This small stop during a museum visit inspired a series of subsequent scientific discoveries, both inside and outside the exhibit halls.
“Two years later, we scheduled a return visit, and reminded our grandson that he could present something to the Corner again, if he wished. His parents said he spent a Sunday afternoon researching two topics, one of which was his new Bernese Mountain dog puppy,” Jane said. “He brushed the dog, collected the fur, and created a poster about caring for dogs. He now has a large number of points at the Corner and is saving them for something very special in the future.”
Science thrives when its passed down through families and shared across generations. “Needless to say, we are delighted to see this next generation become so excited about ‘hard science’, at a time when it seems to be ignored or even mocked,” Jane said.
A bright spot on busy days
Membership, and all of its benefits, is often viewed as a perk for those on the visitor side of our check-in desk. For our staff and volunteers, a thriving membership program is just as affecting.
“The greatest joy of the job is the people we get to connect with and recognize,” said Visitor Experience Facilitator Lead Quinn McCullough. Quinn spends most of his workday on the museum floor, checking members in for their museum visit or Omnitheater show or helping them find a particular product in the Explore Store. “Members and the community they bring is the beating heart that keeps this museum alive. It makes the museum a better place to visit and work.”
Senia shared similar sentiments, appreciating any moments of connection with members that personify our shared values. Recently, a couple who regularly visits with their grandchildren shared with her how meaningful the museum’s public stances on equity, evolution, and climate change are to them. “Hearing how deeply our values resonate with them was a reminder that membership is more than benefits or access. It creates a relationship built on trust, shared values, and a sense of belonging,” Senia said.
How the museum continues its work
A sentence synonymous with a broken record: Members are our museum’s lifeblood. Senior Membership Manager Molly Sullivan, who collaborates across museum divisions to deliver member benefits, events, and communications, considers them our biggest advocates and partners, a sentiment that is shared across the entire organization.
“They’re a core group of people that for one reason or another have chosen to say they want to support the museum,” Molly said. “Whether that’s through visitation, sharing experiences with their networks, or additional financial support, members are an essential part of the museum’s ecosystem.”
Not a member yet? Align yourself with values of science, equity, and learning by joining today. Every membership ensures we can continue our mission of advocating for scientific discovery, and advancing climate research, and making STEM learning more accessible.
