MoMA gives Arts Educators who actively teach Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in New York State, in the disciplines of Visual Arts, Media Arts, Music, Dance, or Theater, a complimentary two-year membership, and that membership includes free admission every day. It’s open to New York State arts educators only, and it’s a membership rather than a reduced ticket at the desk.
If you teach art, band or drama in a New York school and have been buying your own ticket every time you want to see a show, this is the one to apply for. The membership covers one cardholder, so it’s yours and nobody else’s, but the $5 guest admission means a friend or a colleague can come along for very little.
How To Get The MoMA Teacher Discount
The Access – Arts Educator membership page says to submit your application online, and that you’ll receive your membership confirmation in about two weeks. MoMA’s discounts page adds the two requirements: eligible educators must currently be teaching in New York State and have an active school-issued email address. We didn’t open or submit the application, so we can’t tell you what else the form asks for.
Have your school email address ready before you start, since the page asks for an active school-issued one.
What The Membership Includes
The page lists the benefits for one cardholder:
- Free admission, every day.
- $5 guest admission on every visit.
- Free tickets to MoMA films with advance booking.
- Invitations to Member Evenings, where you can see the exhibitions after-hours and make art.
- Member-only viewing, including exhibition previews and after-hours access.
- A 10% discount at MoMA stores, increased to 20% during Member Shopping Days, plus free standard shipping.
The page also says memberships aren’t transferable and that member benefits are for personal, noncommercial use only, so it’s meant for your own visits.
Who Counts As An Arts Educator
The wording is specific. It names educators who actively teach Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in New York State, and it names five disciplines: Visual Arts, Media Arts, Music, Dance and Theater. Nothing on these pages says the membership covers other subjects, college faculty, retired teachers or teachers outside New York State.
No Teacher Ticket At The Desk
MoMA’s discounts page doesn’t list reduced admission for teachers who show a school ID or a letter from their school. The one educator item on it is the Arts Educator Membership. Two free-admission offers on that page aren’t tied to teaching: children 16 and under are always free, and UNIQLO Friday Nights Admission is free for New York State residents every Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The page says Friday night tickets must be reserved in advance and are subject to availability and proof of residency.
What We Couldn’t Confirm
We couldn’t see an application deadline on either page, and neither says what happens when the two years are up or whether you can reapply. We also couldn’t confirm how many guests the $5 admission covers on a single visit.
Q&A
Does MoMA give teachers a discount?
Yes, for a specific group: Arts Educators who actively teach Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in New York State. The benefit is a complimentary two-year membership, not a reduced ticket.
Can I show my school ID at the ticket desk for a lower price?
The discounts page doesn’t list that. It lists the membership as the educator offer.
I teach math in New York. Can I apply?
The page names Visual Arts, Media Arts, Music, Dance and Theater. We didn’t find any other subject on it.
I teach outside New York. Does this apply to me?
The pages say eligible educators must currently be teaching in New York State, so as written, no.
What do I need to apply?
The discounts page says you must currently be teaching in New York State and have an active school-issued email address.
How long until I hear back?
The membership page says you’ll receive your confirmation in about two weeks after you submit the application online.
Can a friend use my membership?
No, memberships aren’t transferable. A friend can come with you on a $5 guest admission.
More Information:
The details above come from MoMA’s own pages as they loaded when we checked, and benefits and eligibility change without notice. See more entertainment discounts for teachers.