Memberships
Enjoy Unlimited Museum Visits
While the Virginia Discovery Museum remains closed for general admission due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please know that our staff is hard at work updating exhibits, implementing new accessibility features for visitors with physical and neurological differences, and augmenting cleaning policies and safety practices as we prepare to reopen. Purchasing a new membership or renewing now is a great way to support this endeavor and invest in the future of Charlottesville’s best discovery spot for newborns to children age 8! Plus, all new memberships and renewals have the option to receive a voucher – valid for a full year – to start the membership at a later date after VDM has reopened or to start the membership immediately to access certain benefits like a 10% discount on Virtual Programs and reciprocal admission discounts at participating ASTC and ACM locations that might have already reopened to the public.
Levels & Benefits | Gift Vouchers | FAQs | Contact Us
Levels & Benefits
Until VDM reopens to the public, all new memberships and renewals will receive vouchers, which are valid for redemption in-person at the Museum for a full year from the purchase date. Don’t worry about losing any time: Your membership begins only after the voucher has been redeemed, so you can start it after the Museum has reopened and when you are ready to do so. If you would prefer to have your membership start immediately, please contact our membership coordinator, Matt Berman, at marketing@vadm.org.
1 Limited to adults and children living in the household, grandparents, and caregivers only.
2 Required to redeem ASTC / ACM discounts. 3-Month Memberships not issued ID cards.
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.
Gift Vouchers
A Museum membership makes a great experiential gift for family and friends with young children! We offer gift vouchers for both 3-Month and 12-Month memberships that are valid for redemption in-person at the Museum 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, select the membership level you’d like to give, and complete the form and payment. Be sure to include a gift message and/or special delivery instructions in the “Special Notes” field.
Contact Us
If you are unsure of the names the gift recipient wants to include on the membership, no problem! Contact Marketing Manager Matt Berman at marketing@vadm.org, and we’ll schedule a phone call to finalize delivery details and payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will my new membership or renewal work if VDM remains closed?
VDM is following guidelines from state and local officials regarding when and how the Museum can reopen to the public. Right now, the situation is very fluid. As a result, all new memberships and renewals will receive vouchers within 10 business days of purchase. These vouchers are valid for redemption for a full year from the purchase date, and your membership and benefits begin only after the voucher has been redeemed. So you can start your membership once the Museum has reopened or wait until you are comfortable doing so.
Am I still able to use any of my annual member benefits during VDM's closure?
Absolutely! If you have a currently active annual membership or choose to start your membership before VDM reopens to the public, you will have access to the 10% discount on Virtual Programs, Summer Camps, and Small Group Visits and the ASTC and ACM reciprocal discounts at any participating science centers and children’s museums that might have already reopened to the public during our closure.
How do I apply my 10% annual member discount?
To apply this discount to Virtual Program 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 you wish to register for and sign in using the link at the top of the registration page. If you need help applying your 10% discount when using our online forms, please contact Marketing Manager Matt Berman at marketing@vadm.org.
What other museums can I visit with my annual membership?
Annual members enjoy free general admission for a specified number of people 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 location. For a complete list of participating ASTC sites, please visit bit.ly/astc-reciprocity; for a complete list of participating ACM sites, please visit bit.ly/acm-reciprocity.
How do I set up my Website User Account?
You can follow the instructions here or contact Marketing Manager Matt Berman at marketing@vadm.org.
Did I successfully link my Website User Account and membership record?
Contact Marketing Manager Matt Berman at marketing@vadm.org, and we’ll make sure everything is all set.
Contact Us
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Visit Membership FAQs above, or contact Marketing Manager Matt Berman at marketing@vadm.org to learn more about memberships.