Memberships
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Enjoy Unlimited Museum Visits
Exciting news: The Virginia Discovery Museum will reopen for general admission starting Sep. 7, 2021! Purchasing a new membership or renewing now is a great way to invest in the future of Charlottesville’s best discovery spot for newborns to children age 8 and provide your family with a safe, inclusive environment to explore, imagine, and discover together through play. Plus, in celebration of VDM’s 40th anniversary and our reopening for general admission for the first time in 17 months, families will enjoy 3 extra months of membership at no additional cost when they purchase or renew an annual membership between July 19 and Sep. 30 and use the promo code 15for12 at check-out!
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. In celebration of the Museum’s 40th anniversary, families will enjoy three extra months of membership at no additional cost when they purchase or renew a 12-Month membership between July 19 and Sep. 30 and use the promo code 15for12 at check-out.
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 memberships and renewals purchased before Sep. 7, 2021, have the option to receive a voucher – valid for a full year – so families can wait to start their memberships after VDM has reopened without losing any time. Families may also choose to start the membership immediately to access certain benefits, like the 10% discount on Programs and the reciprocal admission discounts at participating ASTC science centers and ACM children’s museums that have already reopened to the public. Enjoy 3 extra months of membership at no additional cost when you purchase or renew a 12-Month membership between July 19 and Sep. 30 and use promo code 15for12 at check-out.
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. Give 3 extra months of membership at no additional cost when you purchase a 12-Month membership voucher between July 19 and Sep. 30 and use promo code 15for12 at check-out.
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 membership work if I purchase or renew before VDM reopens?
Families who purchase or renew a 12-Month membership before VDM reopens for general admission visits on Sep. 7, 2021, have two options:
- Delay the Membership Start: The family will receive a voucher – valid for redemption for a full year from the purchase date – that they can wait to redeem after the Museum reopens. The membership will then officially start when the voucher is redeemed. All member benefits will remain inactive until the voucher is redeemed.
- Start the Membership Immediately: The membership will start immediately. The family will receive a membership card and have immediate access to certain benefits, like admission fee exemptions on Baby Buds playtimes and Pop-Up Visits on select days throughout the summer; a 10% discount on VDM Programs and Small Group Visit facility rentals; and reciprocal admission discounts at participating ASTC science centers and ACM children's museums that have already be reopened to the public. Other benefits, like general admission VDM visits for the people named on the membership, will be available upon the Museum's reopening.
How do I receive the special offer of 3 extra months of membership?
Purchase or renew a 12-Month membership between July 19 and Sep. 30 and use promo code 15for12 at check-out.
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.
How do I apply my 10% annual member discount?
To apply this discount to 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 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.
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.