During October, membership in one of 11 local cultural institutions will carry added benefits at other institutions participating in San Antonio’s first annual Museum Month. The month-long event highlights the importance of museums and cultural institutions in telling the story of the city’s past, present, and future, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said at a press conference Tuesday.
San Antonio’s Tricentennial celebration in 2018 will be “our opportunity to say to people, this is why you should aspire to be in San Antonio in the future,” Nirenberg said. Cultural institutions will play a leading role in that, he said, making Museum Month timely and important.
In addition to free or reduced admission, participating institutions will offer discounted membership and free events for members of partner organizations. Most museums, galleries, and cultural institutions are nonprofit, and they rely on their membership to stay viable, said Debbie Racca-Sittre, the City’s director of the Department of Arts and Culture, at the press conference.
VIA Metropolitan Transit’s VIVA bus routes also will offer free rides on Saturdays during October. The three routes – VIVA Culture, VIVA Centro, and VIVA Missions – serve most, but not all, partnering organizations.
- Free to the public Wednesday-Sunday from noon-5 p.m. The gallery is closed Monday and Tuesday.
- All new members who sign up in person during October will receive a custom Artpace member button featuring the new membership design by Hudson Showroom artist Nathan Carter.
- Free admission for two to members of participating organizations. Admission is regularly $5.
- Museum hours are Thursday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. First Friday hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Free admission for two to members of participating organizations. Admission is regularly $10 for adults; $8 for students, seniors, and military; and free for children under 12.
- Museum hours are Tuesday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (free admission from 4-9 p.m.), Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum.
- Free admission for two on Mondays for members of participating organizations. Admission is regularly $12 for everyone ages 1 and up or $11 if purchased online.
- Museum hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 12-5 p.m.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
- Free admission for two for members of participating organizations. Admission is regularly $10 for adults; $8 for seniors, students, and military; and free for children under 6, Alamo Colleges students, and UTSA students.
- Museum hours are Monday-Satuday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m.
- Admission is free on the second Sunday of each month.
- Free general admission for two on Tuesday-Friday to members of participating organizations. Admission is regularly $20 for adults; $15 for college students, military, and seniors; and free for children and teens.
- Museum hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 a.m.-4 p. m.; Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (free after 4 p.m.); Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday 12-5 p.m.
People gather in front of a painting by Henri Fantin-Latour at the McNay Art Museum.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
- Admission is free to the public.
- Friends of the Missions will offer $5 off memberships.
- The park is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
- Free admission for two to members of participating organizations only Oct. 1-6 and Oct. 8-20. Admission is regularly $12 for adults; $10 for students, military, and seniors; $8 for children 3-13; and free for children under 3.
- Members of partner organizations also can take $5 off memberships during October.
- $2 off admission to BOOtanica on Oct. 7 and Oct. 28.
- Garden hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
- Free admission for two to members of participating organizations. Admission is regularly $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for students and military, and free for children under 12.
- The museum is waiving the special exhibition surcharge to the general public on Tuesdays from 4-9 p.m. and Fridays from 6-9 p.m. The Latino List exhibition will open Oct. 6.
- $5 off all memberships.
- Museum hours are Tuesday and Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (free to the public Tuesday after 4 p.m. and Sunday until noon).
- Free to the public.
- Visit SSA website for gallery hours.
- $2 off museum admission for two to members of participating organizations. Admission is regularly $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and military, and $9 for children ages 4-11.
- Members of partner organizations can also take $5 off a membership when purchased in person at the museum.
- Museum hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (admission is free after 3 p.m.); and Sunday 12-5 p.m.
Children touch the colorful elevation interactive learning lab at the Witte Museum. 
A crowd explores the exhibits at the unveiling of the Witte’s addition in March.
