Memberships
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Enjoy Unlimited Museum Visits
Purchasing a new membership or renewing is a great way to invest in the future of Charlottesville’s best discovery spot for infants to children age 8 and provide your family with a safe, inclusive environment to explore, imagine, and discover together through play. A membership makes a great experiential gift and offers families the flexibility to play at their own pace and on their own schedule. Plus, annual members receive a 10 percent discount on VDM Programs, Events, and Party Rentals and enjoy reciprocal and discounted admission to hundreds of other science and children’s museums across the country.
Membership Options | Purchase/Renew | Gift Vouchers | FAQs | Contact
Membership Options
Levels & Benefits
VDM currently offers a 12-Month membership option, and all included benefits can be found in the chart below. All new and renewing memberships purchased online start immediately on the purchase date unless marked as a gift. Gift vouchers are valid for redemption for a full year from the purchase date, and the membership officially starts when the voucher is redeemed.
1 Limited to adults and children living in the household, grandparents, and caregivers only.
2 Required to redeem ASTC / ACM discounts.
3 Association of Science-Technology Centers Travel Passport Program. Sites, rules, and restrictions: bit.ly/astc-reciprocity.
4 Association of Children’s Museums Reciprocal Network. Sites, rules, and restrictions: bit.ly/acm-reciprocal.
Purchase or Renew
All new and renewing memberships purchased online start immediately on the purchase date unless marked as a gift. Gift vouchers are valid for redemption for a full year from the purchase date, and the membership officially starts when the voucher is redeemed.
Gift Vouchers
A VDM membership makes a great experiential gift for family and friends with young children. We offer gift vouchers for our 12-Month Memberships that are valid for redemption for a full year from the purchase date.
Purchase Online
If you know all of the recipient’s details – contact information, mailing address, and the names they want to include on the membership – click the link below to complete the online membership form and submit payment. Be sure to include a gift message and/or special delivery instructions in the “Special Notes” field.
Purchase Over the Phone
If you are unsure of the names the gift recipient wants to include on the membership, contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at (434) 977-1025 x103 anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday to finalize payment and delivery details for the voucher. Feel free to send us an email at matt@vadm.org if you have any questions or need to schedule a specific call-back time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is included on my membership?
Annual memberships are intended for use by a single family and include up to 6 named people, which can be selected from adults and children in the member household, grandparents, and caregivers only. Children from other households may not be included. Up to 4 extra names may be added to the membership for $10 each.
Does my membership include any guest passes?
Annual memberships do not currently include guest passes, though the Museum does offer visitors several options for discounted admission.
How often can I use my membership to visit the Museum?
Annual memberships provide unlimited visits during the Museum’s normal operating hours, from 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, for 12 months. Sundays are only available for private rental. Please note that the Museum is closed for certain holidays – New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day – and may close due to staff holidays, inclement weather, or other circumstances throughout the year. All closures will be posted on VDM’s calendar.
What can I use my 10% annual member discount toward?
Your 10% annual member discount is valid on VDM Program registrations, Event tickets, and Party & Event Rentals.
How do I apply my 10% annual member discount?
To apply your 10% annual member discount to Program and Event registrations made online, you will need to create a Website User Account and link it to your membership record by following these instructions. If you have already created a Website User Account, click the registration link for the program or event you wish to register for and sign in using the link at the top of the registration page. If you need help applying your discount when using VDM’s online forms, please contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103.
Party & Event Rentals can only be booked over the phone or in person. When booking a party or event rental, mention that you are a VDM member, and your 10% discount will be applied. For more information about party and event rentals or to book a date, please contact Marketing & Outreach Manager Anna Deater-Deckard at anna@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x104.
How do I set up my Website User Account?
A Website User Account must be set up for annual members to receive their 10% discount when registering for VDM Programs and Events online. You can follow the instructions here or contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103 to set up your user account.
Did I successfully link my Website User Account and membership record?
Contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103, and we’ll make sure everything is all set.
What other museums can I visit with my annual membership?
Annual members enjoy free general admission at over 350 science centers through the Association of Science-Technology Centers Travel Passport Program and 50% off general admission for up to 6 people at over 200 children’s museums through the Association of Children’s Museums Reciprocal Network. Certain restrictions apply, so be sure to carefully read the rules for both programs before visiting any reciprocal location. For a list of participating ASTC sites, please visit bit.ly/astc-reciprocity; for a list of participating ACM sites, please visit bit.ly/acm-reciprocity.
Contact Us
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? To learn more about memberships, visit Membership FAQs above or contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at marketing@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103.