As a part of Museums on Us, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch debit and/or credit card holders in Washington are invited to celebrate National Museum Month with free admission this Saturday and Sunday to the Phillips Collection and the National Museum of Women in the Arts, soon to celebrate its 25th Anniversary here in the District. “We are proud to partner with the National Museum of Women in the Arts to enable residents and visitors to take part in exploring culture,” said Bill Couper, mid-Atlantic president, Bank of America. “By continuing to support and expand our Museums on Us program, we offer our customers access to diverse arts and cultural resources and help our nonprofit partners increase their audiences.”
The best part of this program is that it is not limited to Washington or to this weekend only. As part of Museums on Us, now in its 14th season, museums, historical sites, science centers and zoos — 150 leading U.S. cultural institutions in 85 cities across the country — will continue free admission to all participating institutions during the first full weekend of every month.
“This is our first season to participate in Museums on Us,” said Michelle Cragle, marketing and media relations manager at the NMWA. “We are fortunate to have an exhibition of works from the Bank of America Collection, which is an exhibit titled I Wonder, a who’s-who of woman photographers, as well as up-and-comers. It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase their work and have them here in our nation’s capital.”
Every part of the gallery at NMWA is free and open to the public. However, Cragle advises a visit by May 22, before the photo exhibit closes. Other monthly offerings are equally fascinating. In June, the museum features a print and lithography show, as well as works by the Guerilla Girls, a professional group of masked artists with the particular mission of getting the word out regarding underrepresented artists, especially women of color.
“We have works in our collection dating from the 16th century!” Cragle continued. “They are mostly oil paintings on a variety of subject matter, styles and technique.”
A full listing of participants nationwide can be found on the Museums on Us website, museums.bankofamerica.com.
“As a major corporate presence in the mid-Atlantic region, Bank of America has the ability to sponsor local programs and institutions, such as the National Museum of Women in the Arts, to open doors to enriching, quality attractions for communities and fans of all kinds,” Couper said.
Further information can be found at nmwa.org and on the Phillips Collection website, phillipscollection.org.
