For those looking for “experiential gifts” for their loved ones this holiday season, The Mint Museum is offering yet another reason to choose the gift of museum membership. For every gift membership purchased between November 27 and December 31, the Mint will give a free family membership to a family being served by Camino Community Center.

Camino Community Center is a non-profit serving the needs of low-income families those at risk of homelessness. Their focus is to improve well-being and provide opportunities to contribute to better health, education, and social conditions. Each family who receives a complimentary Mint membership will be offered opportunities to attend special family-friendly arts educational opportunities at the museum during the coming year.

“Mint memberships are already one of the best possible gift ideas for your loved ones because they bring a full year of unlimited free admission to the museum as well as discounts on shopping, art classes, summer camps, and other members-only opportunities throughout the year,” said Hillary Cooper, the Mint’s Director of Advancement & Communications. “But this year there’s an even stronger reason to give, because it will also create a full year of fun and educational opportunities for some very deserving families.”

The campaign is an extension of a partnership between the Mint and Camino which grew out of the Mint’s Latino Initiative. The Mint provided scholarships to its summer camps to 12 Camino families last summer, and has brought Camino families to a previous Sunday Fun Day event. “This partnership is a testament to the Mint’s commitment to bringing underserved communities to the museum, as well as a great example of the Mint’s ongoing outreach to the Latino community as a whole,” said Claudia Soria, the Mint’s Latino Community Education Liaison. During the coming year, the Mint also plans to send its popular Bilingual Stories & Music program for ages 0-6 to the Camino Community Center as its first-ever Bilingual Stories & Music on Wheels program, a project that will be partially supported by gift membership purchases.

Increasingly, educators are recognizing the value of arts education in training and developing the American workforce for innovation – a movement known as “STEM to STEAM,” or adding art and design to the traditional fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Meanwhile, studies and surveys are showing that gift-givers are increasingly looking for one-of-a-kind experiences for their loved ones instead of, or alongside, material gifts.

Mint memberships support nearly all aspects of museum operations, including opportunities for student field trips; special free programming for the community; guest speakers; and more. Membership prices range from $25-$100 per year (plus tax) with levels for teachers, students, individuals, couples, families, seniors, and out-of-towners. Mint members also receive reciprocal benefits at designated Southeastern museums. Higher giving levels bring more benefits to Sustainer, Benefactor, and Crown Society members.

For more information, visit mintmuseum.org/join or call 704.337.2011.

This year, we are excited to celebrate the season of giving in a special way. For every gift membership purchased between now and December 31, we pledge to give a Family membership to a family at Camino Community Center.

Camino Community Center is a non profit organization serving the needs of families at risk and the homeless. Their mission is to equip people to live healthy, hopeful, and productive lives.