The Grammy Museum announced today that on Jan. 25, it will begin offering free general admission for all visitors ages 17 and under. The new policy is expected to more than double the number of youths who visit the museum’s galleries each year.
The new free-admission policy was made possible by the Stengaard Gross Family Education Initiative through a donation made to the Campaign for Music Education, a fundraising campaign launched in 2022. The Campaign for Music Education has recently surpassed its fundraising goal of $5 million. With this initial milestone now achieved, the Grammy Museum has doubled its fundraising goal to $10 million, which it hopes to reach in 2026.
“The Grammy Museum has always been committed to increase access to music education by reaching underserved communities where access to our museum and programming could make a huge impact,” Michael Sticka, Grammy Museum president and CEO, said in a statement. “Waiving admission for kids 17 and under will go a long way towards achieving that goal.”
(Sticka, who has been leading the Museum since 2018, just renewed his contract to serve in this role until 2029.)
Additional funds raised through the Campaign for Music Education will expand the museum’s education and community programs, which have served more than 550,000 students through programs such as Grammy Camp, Grammy in the Schools and the Quinn Coleman Scholarship Fund. The Campaign for Music Education is co-chaired by such stars as Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Bruno Mars, Shawn Mendes, and Rosalía.
Additionally, as a result of the Campaign for Music Education, the Museum will unveil Sonic Playground, a new hands-on, permanent exhibit opening next month. Featuring 17 music-making interactives, Sonic Playground allows visitors to play different roles in the music industry, from rapper, singer, and producer to performer, music supervisor, and voice actor, and discover the myriad ways they could pursue a career in the music industry. Sonic Playground is made possible by a donation from Deborah DeBerry Long, dedicated to the legacy of Jim Long.
Additional donors to the Campaign for Music Education include the Ray Charles Foundation, Deborah DeBerry Long, the Living Legacy Foundation, the Natalie Cole Foundation, and BeatHeadz.
