Today the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) announced the launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2016.

The Department of Cultural Affairs is the cultural steward of New Mexico’s state museums and historic sites which include: Palace of the Governors/History Museum, NM Museum of Art, NM Museum of Indian Art & Culture, Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe; NM Museum of Natural History & Science and the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque; NM Museum of Space History in Alamogordo; NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces; Coronado Historic Site, El Camino Real Historic Trail Site, Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site, Jemez Historic Site, Lincoln Historic Site, Ft. Stanton Historic Site, and Ft. Selden Historic Site.

“The Blue Star Museums program is a great way for service member families to connect to their new communities, and provides a meaningful way for families to reconnect after deployment,” said DCA Cabinet Secretary Veronica Gonzales. “This is a wonderful way the state arts and culture community can say ‘thank you’ to our service members and their families for sacrifices they have made and continue to make on our behalf.”

Leadership support for Blue Star Families programming and promotional materials has been provided by MetLife Foundation. The program also provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation’s cultural heritage and learn more about their new communities after a military move. The complete list of participating museums is available at https://www.arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums

This year more than 2000 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative. Museums are welcome to join Blue Star Museums throughout the summer.

The program runs from Memorial Day, May 30, 2016 through Labor Day, September 5, 2016.