Stark Foundation Programs to Participate in Blue Star Museums
Stark Museum of Art, The W.H. Stark House and Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center are some of more than 1,500 museums across America to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense.
ORANGE - Stark Museum of Art, The W.H. Stark House and Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center announce their participation in Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,500 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2012. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
More than 1,500 museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative, including more than 300 new museums this year. This year's Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and 70 children's museums. In addition to the continued participation by the Stark Museum of Art and The W.H. Stark House, Shangri La Botanical Gardens is also participating in this year's Blue Star Museums program. Also at the Stark Museum, The Stark House and Shangri La, military members and their families can enjoy complimentary admission beyond Labor Day and throughout the rest of the year.
"Knowing the sacrifice the men and women of our nation's Armed Services make, it is our honor to extend complimentary admission to active military and their families," says Stark Foundation President and CEO, Walter Riedel. "We hope all active military in the area have the opportunity to visit."
Photo 1: Stark Museum of Art. Image by Will France.
Photo 2: The W.H. Stark House. Image by Will France.
Photo 3: Pond of the Blue Moon at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. Image by Will France.
About Blue Star Museums: Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,500 museums across America. The program runs from Memorial Day, May 28, 2012 through Labor Day, September 3, 2012. The free admission program is available to active-duty military and their family members (military ID holder and up to five family members). Active duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and active duty National Guard and active duty Reserve members. Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly. To find out which museums are participating, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. The site includes a list of participating museums and a map to help with visit planning. Museums that wish to participate in Blue Star Museums may contact bluestarmuseums@arts.gov, or Wendy Clark at 202-682-5451.
This is the latest NEA program to bring quality arts programs to the military, veterans, and their families. Other NEA programs for the military have included Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience; Great American Voices Military Base Tour; and Shakespeare in American Communities Military Base Tour.
About the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation: The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation is a private operating foundation established in 1961 to encourage and assist education and to improve and enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas.
The Stark Foundation seeks to continue the legacy of its founders through the programs of the Stark Museum of Art; The W.H. Stark House; the Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts; Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center; and the Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation. These venues provide the community and region with rich resources and opportunities for study and enjoyment of the arts, history and nature.
Located at 712 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas, Stark Museum of Art is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission is free for all ages. Group tours are available by appointment. For more information, call 409.886.ARTS (2787) or visit www.starkmuseum.org.
Located at 610 Main Avenue in Orange, Texas, The W.H. Stark House is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. For more information, call 409.883.0871 or visit www.whstarkhouse.org.
Located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas, Shangri La is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 409.670.9113 or visit www.shangrilagardens.org.
About Blue Star Families: Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, with a mission to support, connect and empower military families. In addition to morale and empowerment programs, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life and works to make military life more sustainable through programs and partnerships like Operation Honor Cards, MilKidz Club and Blue Star Museums. Membership includes military spouses, children and parents as well as service members, veterans and the civilians who strongly support them. To learn more about Blue Star Families, visit www.bluestarfam.org.
About the National Endowment for the Arts: The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at www.arts.gov.