Memberships
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Enjoy Unlimited Museum Visits
Purchasing a new Virginia Discovery Museum 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 all year long. Valid for 12 months, a VDM membership makes a great experiential gift for families with young children and offers them 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 centers and children’s museums across the country.
Membership Benefits | Purchase Options | Gift Vouchers | FAQs | Contact
Membership Benefits
1 Limited to parents and children living in the household, grandparents, and caregivers only.
2 Required to redeem ASTC / ACM reciprocal discounts.
3 Association of Science-Technology Centers Passport Program. For rules and restrictions and a complete list of participating locations, visit: astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport.
4 Association of Children’s Museums Reciprocal Network. For rules and restrictions and a complete list of participating locations, visit: findachildrensmuseum.org/reciprocal-network.
Purchase Options
New memberships start immediately on the purchase date unless specified as a gift voucher, and renewals add 12 months to an active membership’s expiration date. Gift vouchers are valid for redemption for a full year from the purchase date, and the membership officially starts when the voucher is redeemed.
Online
Complete the online form – including contact information, mailing address, and the names you want to include – then submit payment.
By Phone
Call Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at (434) 977-1025 x103 with contact information, mailing address, and the names you want to include.
Gift Voucher
Purchasing a gift for someone else? Complete the online form by checking “This Membership Is a Gift”, selecting a mailing option, and including a note in the “Gift Message” field, or call Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at (434) 977-1025 x103 to finalize delivery details and payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Museum Visits
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, unless you or another caregiver on the membership are also a primary caregiver for those children. 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 for 12 months during the Museum’s normal operating hours, from 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sundays are only available for private rental. Please note that the Museum is closed for certain holidays – New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 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.
Member Discount
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 and 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 and 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, contact Programs & Gallery Manager Sabrina Collins at sabrina@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x105.
Website User Account
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.
Reciprocal Admission
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 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 astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport; for a list of participating ACM sites, please visit findachildrensmuseum.org/reciprocal-network.
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 matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103.