Denver Art Museum to offer free admission to kids

<p>(Photo: Courtesy of Mark Borghi Fine Art)</p>
<p>A young museum visitor stands in front of Elaine de Kooning&#039;s 1959 painting “Bullfight.”</p>
Photo: Young boy in front of Elaine de Kooning&#039;s 1959 painting &#039;Bullfight&#039;
A young museum visitor stands in front of Elaine de Kooning's 1959 painting "Bullfight."

But now the museum hopes to provide easier access for families and young arts enthusiasts with its new “Free For Kids” program funded by local donors.

The major institution announced Wednesday that it will offer free admission for all visitors ages 18 and under for the next five years.

“Young people who frequently encounter the arts experience greater quality of life, and we’re delighted that these generous donors share our goal to bring the arts to all youth in our community,” says DAM director Christoph Heinrich.

Longtime DAM trustee Scott Reiman gave a five-year gift to support the program on top of a one-year grant from Kaiser Permanente Colorado. The program benefits school tours and other youth group visits as well.

DAM officials also say this program is a response to one finding from Denver’s Imagine 2020 cultural plan survey that said the cost of attendance is a top barrier to visiting arts and cultural facilities for the community.

Formerly, children five and younger got free admission to the museum while tickets for Colorado youth ages six to 18 cost $3. The museum will also cap youth pricing for all ticketed exhibitions at $5 for the next five years.