International Museum Day
18 May 2011

Valley Museums Celebrate International Museum Day
Celebration Features Special Offers and Admission Discounts Around the Valley.

Central Arizona is home to nearly 100 diverse museums in the Gila, Maricopa, Pinal, and Yavapai county area. Each year, the Central Arizona Museum Association and Valley museums celebrate International Museum Day on 18 May with special promotions, programs and discounts.

This year, CAMA members have also contributed an International Museum Day digital collection to the Arizona State Library’s Arizona Memory Project.

International Museum Day aims at raising public awareness about the vital role museums play in their communities. Every year since 1977 museum day is celebrated worldwide with as many as 30,000 museums organizing activities in over 100 countries.

Museums are not just a place to visit when you are on vacation. They are an excellent place to spend time with family and friends, to gain educational experiences and for socializing. Many museums offer programming for adults and children, ranging from lectures, to coffee and tea social hours, free or reduced admission, workshops, demonstrations, hands-on experiences, van trips to other destinations and so much more.

Although International Museum Day is celebrated on 18 May some local museums may choose slightly different dates for their special offers in observance of International Museum Day. Here are a few opportunities from various museums that visitors can take advantage of in celebration of International Museum Day:

• Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park
  Free admission.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 10 a.m.‒4 p.m.
• Arizona Military Museum
  Free admission.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 1‒4 p.m.
• Arizona Museum of Natural History
  Buy one admission get one free. Free admission must be equal or less than the purchased ticket.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 1‒4 p.m.
  Museum admission: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 65+, and $8 for students 12+, $6 for children ages 3 to 12 (under 3 free). Exclusions: not good with any other discounts or coupons.
• Arizona Science Center, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, and Phoenix Art Museum
  Reciprocal membership.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, through Sunday, 22 May 2011.
  This is members’ chance to visit these amazing organizations absolutely FREE! Visit the world-class Art Museum and see first-hand their amazing collections and exhibitions. Engage your mind, muscles and imaginations at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix where three floors of hands-on, educational and fun exhibits await you. Then plan to visit the Arizona Science Center where visitors will be engaged by the Center’s interactive galleries, 350+ hands-on exhibits and live daily science demonstrations. A Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Science Center, or Art Museum membership card is all that’s needed to gain free access to all three locations during the promotion period of 18–22 May. Art Museum reciprocity is for 2 adults and their youth under 17. Children’s Museum and Science Center reciprocity is limited to the number of members reflected on your card.
• Barbara Anderson Girl Scout Museum
  Free admission.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 9 a.m.‒4 p.m.
  Tours must be scheduled as sites are small.
• Deer Valley Rock Art Center
  Two-for-one museum admission.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 8 a.m.‒2 p.m.
  The Center has the largest concentration of Native American petroglyphs in the Phoenix Valley. Visitors hike a quarter-mile trail to view over 1,500 petroglyphs made between 500 and 7,000 years ago.
• Desert Caballeros Western Museum
  Free admission.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 10 a.m.‒5 p.m.
• Heard Museum
  Heard Museum North Scottsdale
  Two-for-one museum admission (up to four people).
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 9:30 a.m.‒5 p.m.
  Applies to Adult, Senior and Children’s admission; cannot be combined with any other discount. Valid at both Heard Museum locations.
• Musical Instrument Museum
  Discounted admission and special programs.
  Thursday, 19 May 2011, 5‒9 p.m.
  Five-dollar discount off of regular admission and a range of free performances and demonstrations, including: flamenco guitar and Rathke Organ performances, Octobass and mechanical instrument demonstrations, and a gamelan demonstration. Programs are free with museum admission and are subject to change.
• Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
  Free admission.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 9 a.m.‒4:45 p.m.
  This applies to general museum admission only and excludes special events and programs. In addition, the museum store will offer a 10% discount (excluding books).
• River of Time Museum
  Free admission.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 1‒4 p.m.
• Scottsdale Historical Museum
  Free admission.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 10 a.m.‒5 p.m.
  Guests will also receive a 10% discount in the gift shop and a commemorative postcard.
• Shemer Art Center and Museum
  Free admission.
  Wednesday, 18 May 2011, 10 a.m.‒3 p.m.