The widely popular Cultural Pass program which made its debut last year is back for a second year in a row. The program allowed children and students (ages 0-college-age) + one adult (with children under the age of 16) admission to 20+ attractions and museums last year. This year, the program has expanded to include 30 sites and is sure to be as much of a hit with Louisville families as it was last year. Being a SAHM/WAHM parent, I took full advantage of this program last year and my kids and I visited new to us places and learned a whole bunch about Louisville's deep history and trivia we didn't know. I've lived in Louisville over 25 years and took the program and my kids under my wing and fully immersed us in the culture (and free access too!) of our great city.
Mayor Greg Fischer announced the launch of the program for summer 2015 today at Shawnee Library. Beginning today, residents can pick up their cultural pass at any Louisville Free Public Library location, as well as all Metro Parks Community Centers. The program officially begins on May 31 and runs through August 7. Last year, more than 51,000 children participated in the program. With the connection with the libraries and LFPL, staff there were able to track an increase of 16% in summer reading completion and children's book circulation was up 9%. This program is a win-win for everybody in the city. It's a program all about learning, and gearing up for a summer of increased engagement rather than the summer slide that usually occurs when children and students are not actively participating in educational opportunities once the school doors close for summer.
According to the city's website, City News, Mayor Greg Fischer said, "We are dedicated to building a culture of lifelong learning in Louisville for everyone, from our youngest citizens to our wisest grandmothers and grandfathers. The Cultural Pass was an immediate success, helping thousands of youngsters visit engaging and inspiring places they’d never been, to learn, dream and stay engaged over the summer.”
The list of participating organizations, museums, attractions, and educational experiences includes the following:
21c Museum
Actor's Theatre of Louisville Behind-the-Scenes Tours
American Printing House for the Blind
Arts and Cultural Attractions Council
Arts Council of Southern Indiana Pat Harrison Arts Center Gallery
Asia Institute - Crane House
Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest
Camp Wonderopolis
Carnegie Center for Art & History
Frazier History Museum
Gheens Science Hall/Rauch Planetarium
Historic Locust Grove
Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
Kentucky Derby Museum
Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft
Kentucky Science Center
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
Little Loomhouse
Local Speed | Speed Art Museum
Louisville Ballet School
Louisville Free Public Library
Louisville Youth Choir
Louisville Zoo
Metro Parks & Recreation - Monday Movie Nights @ Iroquois Amphitheater
Metro Parks & Recreation - UPS / First Tee Youth Golf Course (Seneca)
Portland Museum
Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing
Stage One Family Theatre
Walden Theatre/Blue Apple Players
Yew Dell Botanical Gardens
Learn more about the program here, or following LFPL on Facebook or Twitter. Take advantage of this program, families, and all the rest of the summer learning experiences available at your fingertips. Use these fun hashtags with your photos-this is a great chance to Share your Louisville Love as well! #LouisvilleLove, #CulturalPass, #LFPLKids. You'll not regret it.
Photos courtesy of Mayor Greg Fischer, Facebook page
