In Boston, a push to expand free museum access for more than just Boston Public Schools students has hit a roadblock, leaving thousands potentially out in the cold. A resolution, put forth by Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy, called for an extension of a pilot program announced by Mayor Michelle Wu, which currently allows BPS students and three guests free entry to several city cultural institutions. The effort was halted when Councilor Sharon Durkan, a Mayor Wu endorsee, objected to an immediate vote on the resolution during Wednesday's City Council meeting, as reported by Boston.com.
The proposed expansion, which Flynn and Murphy have dubbed "Sundays for All," seeks to include Boston children who attend charter schools, are enrolled in the Metco integration program, attend parochial or private schools, and those who are homeschooled. Despite their efforts, no councilors backed their play by signing onto the resolution. Flynn, advocating for equal access, emphasized, "We want to ensure that this program gives every child in Boston the opportunity to learn and to be excited about the arts and culture," as he told Boston.com.
Council President Ruthzee Louijeune has directed the matter to the Education Committee, expressing interest in exploring how the program's reach could be broadened. However, an official hearing date still hangs in the balance and has yet to be set by the committee's chair, Councilor Henry Santana. The move by Durkan, which automatically relegated the resolution to committee purgatory, drew criticism from Flynn who lamented the delay, stating, "The longer we wait, the less opportunity there is for poor kids from Boston to attend one of these fine museums," according to Boston.com.
Meanwhile, Mayor Wu holds firm on not introducing any significant changes to the program during its pilot phase, emphasizing the importance of first assessing its impact on the involved institutions. "I completely respect the work of the City Council and their right to analyze and advocate on any number of issues," Wu explained in a phone interview with the Boston Globe. "In this case, we don't intend to introduce major changes to the shape of this program during the pilot period."
The free admission program, which started strong earlier this month, drew over 4,200 people in its first two weekends, with about half visiting the New England Aquarium. It's funded by a $1 million budget from federal pandemic relief and philanthropic support. The Mayor sees it as promoting equity, though it's currently limited to BPS students. Flynn and Murphy want to extend access to a more diverse group of Boston's youth, including first-generation immigrants and students of color, according to the Boston Globe.
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