What is the Indiana Access Pass?
It's not a fun moment for any mom: You see a great event you just know the kids will love, and your first thought is “How much is that going to cost?” Kids are expensive in general, and keeping kids active can really rack up quite a bill.When I was growing up, I rarely saw the inside of a museum unless it was a school field trip. It wasn't for lack of interest on my part or my parents: We were poor. By contrast, my four year-old daughter has been to all of our local Indy museums at least once and we frequent the Children's Museum of Indianapolis monthly. It is a joy to watch the inspiration and learning she gains during these visits. We are truly blessed to have so many fine institutions so close by.Still, many Hoosier families face a similar situation as mine did. According to data from 2016, 14 percent of Hoosier households are living in poverty.Another 22 percent are ALICE households. A term coined by United Way, ALICE stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained Employed. In other words, these are working families living paycheck to paycheck who cannot afford basic needs like housing, food, and transportation, let alone a trip to the museum. In fact, one-time admission to some local museums can exceed $100 for a family of four.Enter the Indiana Access Pass, which is designed for families who are truly experiencing financial hardship.
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This program - launched by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis in 2004 - allows individuals or families who receive state assistance to visit select popular attractions for just $2 per person. This admission price is available for up to two adults and household dependents. Some attractions even offer free parking and other perks like free admission for aides.To qualify, one family member in the household must receive TANF {Temporary Assistance for Needing Families}, SNAP {food stamps}, or Hoosier Healthwise Insurance. The benefit? The Indiana Access Pass allows ALL Hoosier families to experience culture, art, and history, regardless of their socioeconomic standing. In other words, it makes family fun available to more Indiana families.
Attractions that participate in the Indiana Access Pass:
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis; Indianapolis
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art; downtown Indianapolis
Indiana Historical Society; downtown Indianapolis
*NEW* Indiana Repertory Theatre; downtown Indianapolis
Indiana State Museum; downtown Indianapolis
NCAA Hall of Champions; downtown Indianapolis
Newfields; Indianapolis
Terre Haute Children’s Museum; Terre Haute
Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology; Bloomington
To enroll, eligible applicants must have proof of qualification for TANF; SNAP and Hoosier Works; or Hoosier Healthwise Insurance. They must also complete an application.While the need for an application and eligibility verification may seem cumbersome, the program appears to be working. A recent article in the Indianapolis Business Journal noted that the Indianapolis Museum of Art has had more than 2,500 Access Pass admissions since 2014.
Tell us your thoughts about this program: What other local attractions should participate?
