Updated on May 14, 2021:
The CT Museums – Kids Are Free Summer grant line is now open, visit here for more information on the program, eligibility and application.
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From May 13, 2021:
The CT Museums – Kids are Free Summer was proposed by Governor Ned Lamont as part of the proposal he presented to the Connecticut General Assembly to allocate federal COVID-19 recovery funding that Connecticut is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act. This summer museum portion of the proposal is part of Governor Lamont’s larger plan to provide students and families with engaging summer enrichment and learning experiences in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the initiative, all Connecticut children 18 and under plus one accompanying adult can visit any of the state’s participating museums free of charge from July 1 to Sept. 6, 2021. It will be supported by a $15 million investment from the state’s federal recovery funds to the participating museums.
So far, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport Museum, Beardsley Zoo, Connecticut Science Center, and the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk have all expressed interest. However, in the coming weeks all museums in the state will be invited to participate, pending the necessary authorization from the state legislature.
The Department of Economic and Community Development, in partnership with the Office of the Governor, Connecticut State Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood and CT Humanities, is delivering these financially accessible summer enrichment opportunities to families and children of all ages using funding provided through ARP ESSER.
Applications and funding guidelines will be available by close of business on Friday, May 14, 2021, on both the Office of the Arts’ and Connecticut Humanities’ websites.
NOTE TO APPLICANTS: The CT Museums – Kids are Free Summer grant program is pending necessary authorization from the state legislature. All funding associated with this program is contingent upon such approval.
