In a significant move to promote inclusivity, the William Penn Foundation recently unveiled a series of grants totaling $7.6 million aimed at improving access to museums for low-income families and individuals with disabilities in Philadelphia.
The funding will be distributed among six key organizations, determined by the number of ACCESS visitors they welcomed during the 2024-25 fiscal year. The ACCESS card program enables those receiving public assistance or identifying as disabled to enjoy heavily discounted admission to nearly 100 participating cultural institutions in the Philadelphia area.
The organizations benefiting from this initiative include the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute, the Morris Arboretum and Gardens, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the Please Touch Museum. Additionally, Art-Reach, the organization overseeing the ACCESS program, has also received support as part of this grant series.
John Orr, the executive director of Art-Reach, emphasized the program's significance, stating, "ACCESS was built 11 years ago by the Philadelphia residents who relied on SNAP and Medicaid benefits. Since then, it has been embraced by the cultural sector and has grown into one of the most effective equity programs in the country."
As part of this initiative, the Philadelphia Zoo joined the ACCESS program in February 2025, allowing pass holders to purchase tickets for just $2, a substantial reduction from the regular admission prices of $22 for adults and $19 for children. Meanwhile, tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art are priced at $30 for adults, with free entry for children, while the Please Touch Museum charges $24 for both kids and adults.
Other notable local museums participating in the ACCESS program include the Barnes Foundation, the Brandywine River Museum, the Delaware Art Museum, Grounds for Sculpture, the Mutter Museum, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
