Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Museums in the Park president Gary T. Johnson today announced free admission for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students to the city’s top cultural institutions next week. Twelve of the city’s top cultural institutions are supporting CPS students as they prepare to return for a new school year with free general admission to the museum sites on select days beginning this Sunday, August 28th through Saturday, September 3rd.

“We all play a role in ensuring our children have the tools they need to be successful in school and in life, which is why I want to thank Chicago’s museums and cultural institutions for lending their support as we work to ensure each of our children are prepared for school on day one,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I want to encourage all of our students, of all ages, and their families to take advantage of this remarkable opportunity to learn and explore by visiting our city’s world class museums before school starts on September 6.”

All CPS students will be eligible for free general admission with proof of student ID or a copy of their spring 2016 school report card. This will also grant students free admission for one adult to accompany them, with some sites providing free entrance for the entire family.

“Museums in the Park is pleased to present the first ever Museum Days as a sign of our commitment to learning and our support of our city’s children and their families,” said Gary T. Johnson, president of the Chicago History Museum and president of Museums in the Park. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get excited about learning before they return to school this fall.”

"As Chicagoans, we're lucky to have such an incredible range of museums and cultural institutions at our fingertips. As an educator and a parent, I'm excited to see them joining together to open their doors to our students - and I would encourage all of our families to take advantage of such a unique opportunity."

Chicago’s museums not only offer some of the most unique collections in the world, they are education centers that draw students and teachers and inspire people of all ages to learn about and appreciate science, art, history, wildlife and nature. Participating museums include:

Adler Planetarium: The Adler Planetarium—America’s First Planetarium—is more than a museum; it is a laboratory, a classroom and a community. Each year, nearly 550,000 visitors experience the museum’s interactive exhibitions, live planetarium shows, hands-on, minds-on STEM education programs and world-class collections. Founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler, the Adler Planetarium is a recognized leader in public engagement. The museum’s scientists, historians and educators continue to inspire the next generation of explorers. Website: www.adlerplanetarium.org

Art Institute of Chicago: The Art Institute is the second largest art museum in the country and for the third year in a row, it ranks among the top three museums in the world according to the TripAdvisor Travelers. It houses everything from America’s greatest collection of Impressionist paintings to an extraordinary collection of modern masters. The museum also hosts 35 special exhibitions a year, and with an encyclopedic collection, it has something for everyone! Website: www.artic.edu

Chicago History Museum: From the Union Stockyards to the Great Chicago Fire – there’s so much to explore at this North Side gem located in the scenic Lincoln Park neighborhood. Discover Chicago through dynamic exhibitions and programs or get out and explore the city through guided tours and events. If you live in Chicago or visit here and are curious about the city’s past, present and future, the Chicago History Museum should be your first stop. Website: www.chicagohistory.org

The DuSable Museum of African American History: The DuSable Museum of African American History, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country. Our mission is to promote understanding and inspire appreciation of the achievements, contributions and experiences of African Americans through the preservation and presentation of our history, culture and art. Website: www.dusablemuseum.org

The Field Museum: Find your sense of wonder at The Field Museum, one of the world’s leading natural history museums. Home to 30 million artifacts and specimens, exciting exhibitions, and more than 150 scientists, conservators, and collections staff, The Field Museum inspires curiosity and tells the story of life on earth. Website: www.fieldmuseum.org

Lincoln Park Zoo: Lincoln Park Zoo, a historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience. A leader in conservation science both globally and locally, the zoo exemplifies the highest-quality animal care and educational outreach. The not-for-profit zoo, managed by The Lincoln Park Zoological Society, is a member-supported organization and the only free privately managed zoo. Website: www.lpzoo.org

Museum of Contemporary Art: Located just one block east of the historic Water Tower and Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile, the MCA is one of the world’s largest contemporary art venues. Our light-filled galleries feature ever-changing exhibitions that introduce you to artists from Chicago and around the world. And our performances, talks, tours, events, and workshops delight audiences of all kinds. The museum also features an award-winning store and lake-view dining at the café. Website: www.mcachicago.org

Museum of Science & Industry: Bringing science to life for the whole family since 1933. The Museum of Science and Industry has over 14 acres of hands-on experiences—all housed in the only remaining building from the White City in the 1893 World’s Fair. Website: www.msichicago.org

National Museum of Mexican Art: The National Museum of Mexican Art showcases 3,000 years of creativity from both sides of the border, connecting museum visitors to the diversity of Mexican art and culture. Works from the museum’s 10,000-piece permanent collection are exhibited in the bilingual galleries of the first nationally accredited Latino museum in the United States. Website: www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org

Nat’l Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture: Located in Humboldt Park, in the heart of Chicago’s Puerto Rican community, The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture is the only free-standing cultural institution in the nation devoted to showcasing Puerto Rican arts and historic exhibitions year-round. Website: www.nmprac.org

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Experience awe-inducing wonder in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, touch a critter from our animal lab and learn about our region’s ecology at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago’s urban gateway to nature and science. Website: www.naturemuseum.org

Shedd Aquarium: Explore the wonders of the aquatic world in the heart of downtown Chicago. Shedd Aquarium is home to 32,000 aquatic animals representing more than 1,500 species of invertebrates, fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals from waters around the world. For a limited time see more than 40 species of frogs, salamanders, and rarely seen caecilians in Amphibians, Shedd’s newest special exhibit. Website: www.sheddaquarium.org

Students visiting museums during free museums week next week will also be eligible to earn digital badges through the Chicago City of Learning.

Throughout the summer, Mayor Emanuel has reinforced the importance of every student remaining engaged through activities like learning and reading during the summer months in order to retain the learning that they accumulated in the previous school year. As part of the Mayor’s commitment to summer learning, the city providing more than 200,000 in-person learning and summer engagement opportunities, with 100,000 children citywide participating in Rahm’s Readers summer program through the Chicago Public Libraries. Additionally, tens of thousands of CPS students have remained engaged through free digital learning opportunities afforded through the Chicago City of Learning partnership.

For the full schedule on where free admission will be offered next week can be found here.

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