CAPE COD MUSEUM OF ART TO PARTICIPATE IN BLUE STAR MUSEUMS

The Cape Cod Museum of Art announces the launch of Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Blue Star Families. More than 600 museums across America will offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2011.

"The Cape Cod Museum of Art is thrilled to open its doors to America's military personnel and their families. This summer, the museum has exciting exhibitions planned, from photography to plein air paintings to a contemporary site installation to an exhibit of some of Cape Cod's finest representational artists," says Debra Hemeon, CCMA Deputy Director, also retired from the US Navy.

"America's museums are proud to join the rest of the country in thanking our military personnel and their families for their service and sacrifice," explains NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. "I cannot imagine a better way to do that than welcoming them in to explore and enjoy the extraordinary cultural heritage our museums present. The works of art on view this summer will inspire and challenge viewers, and sometimes they will just be a great deal of fun."

"There have always been wonderful examples of partnerships between museums and military installations, but the scale of this gift from the museum communities to military families is thrilling," says Blue Star Families Chairman Kathy Roth-Douquet.

"Military families work hard for this country, and it is gratifying for us to be recognized for that," Kathy continues. "Blue Star Families will work hard to help our military families make the most of these opportunities."

More than 1,300 museums in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are taking part in the initiative. The American Association of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, and the Association of Children's Museums each sent a letter from NEA Chairman Landesman inviting museums to participate in this program. In addition to 30 children's museums across the country, participating museums represent a broad range of art, history, science, and cultural topics.

Blue Star Museums runs from Memorial Day, May 30, through to Labor Day, September 5. The Cape Cod Museum of Art will start the program on May 28, 2011. The free admission program is available to active duty military and their family members, including active duty Reserve and active duty National Guard. Free admission with a valid military ID holder also includes up to five guests.

Blue Star Families is a national, non-partisan, non-profit network of military families from all ranks and services including guard and reserve, with a mission to support, connect and empower military families. In addition to morale and empowerment programs, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life with civilian community and leaders.

Operation Appreciation is an initiative of Blue Star Families that seeks to connect military families to the larger community. Through initiatives such as Blue Star Museums, Blue Star Families provides avenues for the larger community to show that they do understand, in meaningful ways that enrich the lives of military service members, spouses, children and parents. For more information, please visit www.BlueStarFam.org.