We’re here to help you. If you can’t find answers to your Museum membership questions below please contact us at: 907.929.9228 or by email at membership@anchoragemuseum.org
MEMBERSHIP BASICS
Where can I find instructions for purchasing a membership online?
You can find instructions here.
You can also call or email the Member Engagement Manager at (907) 929-9228 or email them at membership@anchoragemuseum.org for assistance.
How long does my membership last?
Your membership is good for 12 months from the date of purchase. If you renew your membership early, the new membership starts at the end of your current membership cycle.
Can I upgrade my membership before it expires?
Yes. Your new membership benefits kick-in immediately upon upgrading. You will receive updated digital membership cards and additional mailed membership benefits within a week.
Do the adults on a family membership need to be married?
The adults on any membership level can have any relationship, as long as they live in the same household. Examples include roommates, mother and adult daughter, life partners, husband and wife, and adult brothers.
Can I share my membership card with people outside of my household (friends, grandparents, or other family)?
No, membership cards are not transferable. Adults must be listed on the membership in order to use membership benefits.
Giving membership as a gift is an excellent way to share the museum with your friends and family. Purchase a gift membership here. https://www.anchoragemuseum.org/membership/gift-membership/
My membership level comes with a free guest. How does this work?
Certain membership levels (Family Plus, Individual Insider, Family Insider, and VIP) allow you to bring a guest to the museum, free of admission. The free guest must accompany at least one member. There are no limitations as to who you can bring as a guest.
However, your guest does not receive membership benefits. For example, Family Plus members cannot bring a guest to Spark!Morning, and Family Insider members cannot bring a guest to member-exclusive tours.
How old do I need to be to qualify for the Senior discount on Individual Insider, Family Plus, Family Insider, or VIP levels of membership?
One member on the membership must be 65 years or older. Note that senior discount is not available on basic levels.
Can another adult that is not on our membership bring our children to the museum?
Your children are still covered by your membership when you are not present. The adult that brings your child may be covered by your membership, depending on your membership level. Family Plus, Individual Insider, Family Insider, and VIP levels include a free guest (which can be a caregiver).
If your membership is Basic Family, or Basic Individual make sure that the caregiver is aware that the membership benefits do not extend to the caregiver, and regular admission rates will still apply. The caregiver will need to present your membership card and explain that only the children are on the membership. If caregivers frequently take your children to the museum, you may consider giving them gift memberships or upgrading to a level that includes a caregiver.
How many children are included in my family membership?
All of the children (17 years and younger) in your household receive general admission benefits with your Basic Family, Family Plus, Family Insider, and VIP memberships. You may also bring your grandchildren (under 17 years) with you to the museum if you are a Basic Family, Family Plus, Family Insider, or VIP member. Other children that visit you will be subject to regular admission rates.
Children are not included on Basic Individual or Individual Insider level memberships.
Are children admitted free to the museum?
Children 2 and younger are free. With your membership (excluding Individual Insider and Basic Individual), children 3-17 that live in your household receive free general admission. Additional rates may apply for premium exhibitions.
Are memberships refundable or transferrable?
Memberships are non-refundable and not transferrable.
MEMBERSHIP CARDS
How many membership cards do I get?
One printed membership card is administered per membership; this card has the primary member’s name. All adults on the membership are eligible for a digital membership card; provide a unique email address for each adult on membership for digital membership card.
Can I order cards for more of the adults in my household?
Yes, you may order cards for $5 per card. One complimentary membership card is offered per household.
How do I use my digital membership card?
Your digital membership card will be sent to the email address on your member record. Only members with a unique email address (not a shared email address) will receive a digital membership card.
Download the digital card into your Passbook or Wallet apps
Digital membership card displays your name, membership level, renewal date, and reciprocity programs
Approach the front desk with your digital membership card ready when you check in, or scan your digital membership card at the Member Kiosk.
What do I do if I lose my membership card?
You may request a membership card at membership@anchoragemuseum.org
Replacement cards cost $5 per card, and your new card will be mailed within 2 weeks of your request.
When should I receive my membership cards?
You should receive your membership cards within 2 weeks of purchase. During our busiest times (winter and during special exhibits), it may take up to 4 weeks. If you have not received your membership cards and it has been over a month, please email membership@anchoragemuseum.org.
Do I need my membership card to visit?
We encourage you to use your membership card (digital or printed) at the front desk or Member Kiosk. You may also use your ID for check-in. Your membership card will be needed for your member discount at Muse Restaurant and the Museum Store, and at museums with reciprocal admission programs.
Can my child have a membership card?
Yes. You may request a membership card for your child. If you request this on a membership renewal form, make sure to indicate that (s)he is a youth. Youth cards cost $5. Please note that youth must be 15 to explore the museum alone. Youth younger than 15 must be accompanied by a caregiver. A youth card allows the front desk staff to look up the youth’s address for check-in but does not extend any membership benefits to caregivers that are not on the membership.
MEMBER BENEFITS
What are my reciprocal museum membership benefits? How do I find a museum?
All current members receive free general admission to 375+ science museums around the world through the Association of Science-Technology Centers Passport Program.
Family Plus, Individual Insider, Family Insider, and VIP level members also receive free general admission and museum store discounts to hundreds of North American museums through the Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums.
Do I need my membership card to receive free admission at other museums?
You must present your current Anchorage Museum membership card to receive free admission at ASTC science centers and ROAM museums. If you do not have your card, you will need to pay admission.
Do I have to pay the regular fee for premium exhibitions?
Whenever possible, we offer free premium exhibition admission to members. For some premium exhibitions, an extra ticket is required. Call the front desk at (907) 929-9263 for the pricing of current exhibits.
How will I find out about member-exclusive events?
Information about special events is included in your monthly member e-mail. You can also find these events on our event calendar in the “Members Events” section. Please make sure that we have your current email and mailing address on file to ensure that you receive your exclusive invitations. Email membership@anchoragemuseum.org to update your contact information.
Do members receive special parking privileges?
The parking garage below the Anchorage Museum is a municipal garage that is limited to staff during the week but can be a convenient place to park for museum patrons on weekends. Members do not receive special parking privileges; however, the VIP level of membership does include exclusive access through the 7th Ave Entrance. There are handicapped spots available for the public during the week. More information about parking and pricing can be found here.
Does my membership include admission to the Discovery Center?
Yes, admission to the Discovery Center is included with your membership. Tickets for planetarium shows are discounted for members. Family Plus, Family Insider, and VIP level members also receive 4 free Thomas Planetarium tickets with their membership.
Can I use my membership card for a school visit/field trip?
Your membership may not be used for School Group Experiences. Membership dues do not cover the cost of the Education staff, presentations, and tours included with the field trips. Find more information about School Group pricing here.
Can I still use membership guest passes from previous years of membership?
Yes. Single use guest passes never expire.
Can I still use Planetarium credits from previous years of membership?
Planetarium credits expire at the end of your membership term.
AUTO-RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
No more keeping track of expiration dates, calling to renew your membership from the airport before vacation to use your reciprocal benefits, or arriving at the museum with guests to realize that your membership is long-lapsed.
With auto renewal, you save time, you save money, and your contributions stretch further.
Auto renewal is a great option because:
- Save 10%: Your first auto-renewal term is discounted. Use code: Forever_a_member
- Eco-friendly: You will automatically be opted in to a digital membership card for each adult member. You will also not receive the renewal letters in the mail.
- Minimize cost to your museum: Your membership dues will go even further in supporting the exhibitions and programs you love by reducing mailing and printing costs.
- Sustainable support: Show the museum that it can count on your support for developing exhibitions, taking care of objects, and facilitating programs.
- Easy: Your membership will be ready when you need it.
Q. Do I save money with auto-renewing membership?
A. Yes! Membership gives you the opportunity to visit an unlimited amount of times without being cost-prohibitive, as well as providing invaluable, exclusive experiences. Even better, you receive a 10% discount off your first auto-renewal term.
Q. What amount will I be charged for after my first year of membership?
A. Discounts and promotions will not be included after your first term/year of membership. Your auto-renew charge will be for the full price amount of your membership level. If membership dues increase, you will be notified of the change at least a month prior to the charge.
Q. How do I include an additional adult after my first year of membership?
A. This option is not available at this time. If you purchase a membership with an additional adult and select “auto-renew”, please be aware that the membership will not automatically renew.
Q. How do I upgrade my auto-renewal membership?
A. You can upgrade your membership at any time. The difference will be charged and will apply to the remainder of your current membership term.
Q. What information do you need to process my auto-renewal?
A. The transaction will look and feel like a regular online membership payment. Your credit card information is securely kept on file in your record. Your credit card information is stored in such a way that it cannot be used for any transaction except for auto-renewal of your membership—so you will still need to provide payment information for transactions on other items (tickets, merchandise, etc.)
Q. When will my credit card be charged?
A. Your auto-renewal payment will be processed on the date of your current membership term’s expiration date, on an annual basis.
Q. What if membership dues increase?
A. Membership dues increase periodically to keep up with inflation and to better reflect the value of services provided. You will be sent an email informing you of any dues increase, at which time you can select a different membership level or cancel your upcoming auto-renewal transaction.
Q. My circumstance has changed—how do I cancel future auto-renew transactions?
A. Please contact the membership office via email three (3) weeks before your renewal date.
Q. When will I receive my membership card for auto-renew transactions?
A. You will receive your digital membership cards within a week
Q. When does my membership renew?
A. Your membership will renew on your renewal date.
Q. When will I receive my membership card & receipt for auto-renew transactions?
A. You will receive your digital membership cards within a couple of business days. You will receive an emailed receipt within two (2) weeks of the transaction.
Q. What amount will I be charged for future terms of membership?
A. The following do not auto-renew: discounts, promotions, add-ons (including additional adults). Your auto-renew charge will be for the regular price amount of your membership level. If membership dues increase, you will be notified of the change a month prior to the charge.
Q. How do I include a discount on my future terms of membership?
A. This option is unavailable at this time.
Q. How do I include an additional adult on my future terms of membership?
A. Please call the membership office after your auto-renew transaction has been completed, and an additional charge will be processed.
Q. How do I include plastic membership cards on my future terms of my auto-renewing membership?
A. Auto-renew members will not receive plastic membership cards on future terms of their auto-renew. All adult members with a unique email on file will receive a digital membership card.
Q. How do I give an additional donation during my future terms of my auto-renewing membership?
A. You can make a donation at any time here, by sending in a check with the note “donation” to Anchorage Museum, 625 C St, Anchorage, AK 99501, or by calling the Individual and Corporate Giving Manager at (907) 929-9226
Q. How do I upgrade my membership?
A. You can upgrade your membership at any time by calling the membership office. My circumstance has changed—how do I cancel future auto-renew transactions? Please contact the membership office via email three (3) weeks before your renewal date.
Q. Is my auto-renewing membership refundable?
A. No, memberships are not refundable.
Q. Is my auto-renewing membership transferable to another household?
A. No, memberships are non-transferable.
GIFT MEMBERSHIPS
How do I purchase a gift membership?
You may purchase a gift membership online, at the front desk, or by calling the membership office (907) 929-9228. You will need your gift recipient’s names, address, phone number, and e-mail to complete the transaction.
How far in advance should I buy a gift membership?
Gift memberships take about 2 weeks to process during normal times of the year, but during the holidays it takes longer due to increased volume. We try our best to process memberships in a timely manner. Ensuring that your gift recipient’s contact information is correct will ensure safe delivery of their membership.
Your gift recipient’s membership is valid upon purchase, and the recipient may check in by presenting their ID at the front desk if they have not received their membership card yet. If you, the gift giver, purchase the membership online, you will receive an emailed certificate that you may print out for your gift recipient to use at their first check-in.
Is a gift membership delivered to the gift recipient?
The gift membership and the renewal letter will be sent to the gift recipient by default. You can choose who the gift membership and renewal letter is sent to by selecting the option on the online form, or by requesting this option during your transaction at the Front Desk.
Please note that writing the gift giver’s address in the gift recipient’s contact information may result in returned or lost mail. If you have specific requests for your gift membership, please contact membership@anchoragemuseum.org.
SUPPORTING THE MUSEUM
Is my membership tax-deductible?
Yes. Your membership is fully tax-deductible minus the fair market value of any benefits received. Benefits include planetarium show tickets ($4 value per show), planetarium previews ($4 value per ticket), and MUSE Restaurant vouchers ($12 value per voucher). Our tax ID number is 92-6009317. Your Membership Thank You receipt has the tax-deductible amount written at the bottom of the letter.
How are my membership dues used at the Anchorage Museum?
Anchorage Museum members contribute about $450,000 annually through their membership dues, which makes up about 5% of the Museum’s annual revenue. For more financial and statistical information about the Anchorage Museum, please review our most recent annual Gratitude Report here.
How can I make a donation to the museum?
Donations at every level make a difference. Admissions, municipal support, and other earned revenue covers only 80% of annual operations and programs. Contributions like yours make up the balance. Make a gift online here, or contact Individual & Corporate Giving Manager at (907) 929-9226.
How can I include the museum in my will or estate plan?
Making a planned gift to the Anchorage Museum can be an effective way to meet your financial goals and save on taxes, while helping ensure quality art, history, culture and science programs and exhibitions for the benefit Alaskans far into the future. For more information, please contact the Donor Relations Manager (907) 929-9213.
YOUR PRIVACY
Do you sell or lend out my contact information?
No. We value your privacy. Please read our Privacy Policy for details.
What if I do not want to receive e-mails, mail, or solicitations?
If you would like to unsubscribe from the museum e-newsletter, you may use the link at the bottom of the e-newsletter to unsubscribe. If you do not want to receive mail or solicitations, please call (907) 929-9228 so that we can make the appropriate adjustments to your record.