FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stephanie Derammelaere
Robert Ferguson Observatory
Phone: 707.333.1331
Email: [email protected]
Robert Ferguson Observatory Announces Access Program for Low-Income Families
Kenwood, CA, January 19, 2022 – The Robert Ferguson Observatory announced that it has joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits.
The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting the Robert Ferguson Observatory. With the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, visitors may attend a public star party for free for up to four people. Similar free and reduced admission is available to eligible members of the public at hundreds of museums across the country. Museums for All is part of Robert Ferguson Observatory’s broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences.
“The past two years of financial difficulty from cancelled programs and events due to Covid have forced us to nominally increase costs for our visitors,” explains Stephanie Derammelaere, Executive Director of the Robert Ferguson Observatory. “However, at the same time we want to ensure that nobody in our community is prevented from benefiting from our astronomy-based education and experiences. Joining Museums for All allows us to further our mission of offering outreach-based astronomy and science programs to all members of the public.”
The Robert Ferguson Observatory is located in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Kenwood. Because of its relationship with Team Sugarloaf, the five partners that manage the state park, RFO is able to extend the Museums for All benefit to parking. EBT card holders will also receive free parking in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park for the duration of the public star party. Dates for upcoming public star parties can be found on the calendar at www.rfo.org.
Museums for All helps expand access to museums and also raise public awareness about how museums in the U.S. are reaching their entire communities. More than 800 institutions participate in the initiative, including art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, history museums, and more. Participating museums are located nationwide, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
About Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO) –
Robert Ferguson Observatory is run by the Valley of the Moon Observatory Association, a 501(3)(c) non-profit, and has offered outreach-based astronomy and science programs to the public for almost 25 years. RFO is almost all-volunteer run and typically serves about 9,000 visitors annually. The observatory is located in Sugarloaf State Park and houses a 40-inch reflector telescope, the largest telescope in Northern California that is accessible to the public; a robotic 20-inch research-grade, “CCD” telescope; and an 8”, two-meter long refractor telescope. Like us on Facebook @RobertFergusonObservatory.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Their mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Their grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.
About Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)
The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) champions children’s museums worldwide. With more than 470 members in 50 states and 16 countries, ACM leverages the collective knowledge of children’s museums through convening, sharing, and dissemination. Learn more at www.childrensmuseums.org.
If you would like more information on this topic, please call Stephanie Derammelaere at 707.333.1331 or email [email protected].