Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is making weekends at Boston's top cultural institutions a free-for-all for city students and their families, starting this Sunday. The newly launched BPS Sundays program serves up free admission twice a month to the likes of the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium. The initiative kicks off on the first and second Sundays of each month and is exclusive for Boston Public Schools students and up to three guests.
The move, designed to quickly remove financial barriers and get more families into these world-class institutions, will initially run from February to August of this year. According to a statement by Mayor Wu, "Boston is home to some of the world’s best cultural and educational institutions, and our students deserve to feel at home at these institutions without any barriers." With the aim to turn Boston into the most family-friendly city, the mayor explained the dual focus of educational enrichment and family bonding as central to the new program.
This isn't just about opening doors; it's about creating a sense of belonging. Mary Skipper, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools, highlighted the extended educational impact, telling the City of Boston's official website, "Thanks to Mayor Wu’s leadership and our invaluable partners, our young people and their families can now experience a whole world of knowledge, art, science, and history that was inaccessible to them previously." Students and families can secure admission by showing a school ID or a BPS personalized email sent out weekly before each free access day.
The city's decision to introduce BPS Sundays stemmed from Mayor Wu's 2024 State of the City address. Echoing the mayor's sentiment, student Arianna L. from the Curley K-8 School in Jamaica Plain shared with the official city site, "It means a lot to know that people in the community care about my classmates and me." Similarly, Kara Elliott-Ortega, Boston's Chief of Arts & Culture remarked, "The BPS Sundays program is a huge step in creating a sense of belonging for BPS families in our city’s world-class cultural institutions."
Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science, Vikki N. Spruill of the New England Aquarium, among other leaders have voiced their support for the program, acknowledging the broader mission to democratize access to educational resources. Spruill hailed Mayor Wu and her team for "creating a program that prioritizes increased accessibility and inclusivity for students and families throughout Boston."
This joint effort is bolstered by supporters such as the Highland Street Foundation and Amazon, committed to fostering community and educational growth. "Highland Street Foundation is pleased to partner with Mayor Wu on BPS Sundays as it directly aligns with our goals to enrich the lives of children and families," said the foundation's executive director, Blake Jordan, emphasizing the alignment with their mission of providing access to top cultural offerings.
The program's success could lead to further expansion, contingent on the city's ongoing partnerships and community engagement to establish a permanent name for the initiative. With pre-registration recommended due to the anticipated high turnout, the city is poised to ensure the initiative's smooth rollout and lasting impact.
