Explorit joins bank's 'Museums on Us' program

Explorit Science Center now offers free admission two days a month to visitors holding Bank of America credit and debit cards as part of the bank's "Museums on Us" program.

The nationwide program entitles card-holders to free access the first Saturday and Sunday of each month to more than 70 cultural institutions, according to bank officials. Explorit is joining the list in May during a major expansion of the program.

"Explorit is proud to be one of only a very few museums in the region invited to be part of this program," said Allison Cagley, director of development. "When they called us to offer us a chance to be included, we figured it was a win-win situation.

"Bank customers win by getting to explore our science center for free. Explorit wins by being able involve even more people in everyday science, which is the mission of our organization."

Other participating museums in the Sacramento area include the Crocker Art Museum and the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts. Nationally, the list includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York as well as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. A full list is available at www.bankofamerica.com/museums.

"Explorit is in very good company," Cagley said.

The program is simple: Participants need only show up on the first Saturday or Sunday of the month at Explorit and show the Bank of America card. The card-holder will be admitted for free, but families are not included. General admission is $4; entry is free for ages 3 and under.

The science center is open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"Bank of America is committed to improving access to the arts, and "Museums on Us" is a key component of that outreach," said Rena M. DeSisto, a bank spokeswoman. "We are thrilled to expand this program, both in scope and geography, so more individuals can experience art and culture at some of the finest museums in the country."

The program is now in its 11th year - in previous years, it allowed access for only one month to a limited list of museums.

For more information: (530) 756-0191.