Museum Memberships in Florida

By Amy Shepherd Nance

Published: March 5, 2008

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In Florida, membership has its rewards. The state may be known for its beaches and sunshine, but the horizon isn’t the only thing on view. A variety of noteworthy museums are found here, and it pays to be in-the-know about their membership programs, annual passes and reciprocal agreements. Floridians and visitors alike will find affordable incentives to keep up with the cultural zeitgeist.

Many museums have reciprocal programs. The North American Reciprocal Program provides museum-goers with a compelling reason to become members. With 170 museums participating, museums share admission privileges for members. Simply present your membership card with its gold NARM sticker and enjoy free admission. In Florida, that includes The Ringling Museum of Art and The Salvador Dalí Museum, as well as The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art, Orlando’s The Mennello Museum of American Art and The Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, among others.

Florida Museum of Natural History

This top research museum in Gainesville holds collections in areas as varied as Ichthyology – the study of fishes – and Malacology (shells). The popular Butterfly Rainforest is a permanent exhibit and invites visitors to wander year ‘round through a screened structure filled with tropical flora, waterfalls and the titular butterflies. The Butterfly Annual Pass gets you access to the Rainforest all year, and the pass itself is discounted for members. Basic membership includes exhibition benefits, a one-year subscription to Natural History magazine, museum shop discounts and admission to a slew of science and children’s museums throughout the world.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Tea ceremonies, traditional festivals and a permanent collection make The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach a must-see. Membership at the Morikami gets you free admission to the Hatsume Fair, Oshogatsu and the not-to-be missed Bon Festival, all of which feature taiko drum demonstrations, flower arranging presentations, folk dancing and martial arts. You’ll also snag an invite to an exclusive holiday sale at the museum shop, get discounted rates for lectures and classes and earn free admission. A bonus: Sushi & Stroll summer walks are also free.

Housing the most complete collection of the surrealist’s work, St. Petersburg’s Dalí museum features 96 of the Spanish artist’s oil paintings, as well as watercolors, sculptures, photographs and drawings. The museum offers tailored tours so your group can specify a particular theme and docents will build your visit around it. An individual membership earns you unlimited admission, discounts at both the museum and online stores and admittance to advance viewings. Tickets to films and workshops are also discounted. Since the collection is rotated frequently, visits are never redundant.

The Jewish Museum of Florida in South Beach

The mission of recording and illustrating the Jewish experience in Florida since 1763 is both ambitious and fascinating. This Miami museum’s centerpiece exhibit MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida features a Timeline Wall and hundreds of archival items. Basic membership gives you free admission, free or discounted access to programs and entrance to the research center. The 125 Donor status lets members benefit from a reciprocal agreement with other Jewish museums.

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