Eligibility for Free Admission
The MFA offers free admission and guided tours to Title I schools, public schools in Boston and Lawrence, and all schools in New Hampshire and Maine.
Indicate that your school meets one of these criteria when requesting your visit. Some schools may also be eligible for reimbursement of bus expenses.
Bus Grants
The MFA offers funding to assist schools in need that want to bring student groups to the Museum for guided tours. School groups visiting for guided tours between the months of October 2019 and March 2020 may be eligible for bus grants of up to $1,000 per visit. School groups visiting between the months of April and September 2020 may be eligible for grants of up to $300. Grants are awarded based on a group’s demonstrated need (such as Title I status) and total transportation costs. Bus grants are available for guided tour groups only. Please be sure to request your guided visit in School Group Options and Reservations before submitting your bus grant application.
Lawrence Public Schools may be eligible for reimbursement of bus expenses for both guided and self-guided visits. To qualify, submit a bus grant application indicating that your group is from Lawrence Public Schools.
Credits
The Lunder Maine Student Membership Program allows Maine students of all ages in public and private school, as well home school students, to visit the Museum free of charge.
The McLane Family New Hampshire Student Membership Program allows New Hampshire students of all ages in public and private school, as well home school students, to visit the Museum free of charge.
The Bernard J. Rothwell School Bus Fund was established in 2006 to provide Title I schools with bus transportation subsidies to bring classes to the MFA for Guided Tours. This fund was made possible by a grant from the Paul Taylor and Adeline Gertrude Magrane Rothwell Philanthropic Fund at the recommendation of a current Gallery Instructor.
The Stevens Foundation provides support for use of the MFA by the Lawrence Public Schools.