CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Clay Center takes a big step toward being an arts and science museum for all West Virginians with a discount program starting Monday.

"Access to Excitement," presented in conjunction with The Charleston Gazette, allows low-income West Virginia families to enjoy the benefits of a Clay Center membership -- including unlimited free admission to the museum galleries and the planetarium -- for a discounted rate of $20 for qualifying families. The regular annual family membership is $75.

"When the Clay Center was built, its founders promised to make the center available for all West Virginians, and this program makes great strides in fulfilling that promise," said Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. "The Access program will have far-reaching implications on how deeply and effectively the Clay Center is able to connect with, educate and serve families across the state."

Missy Menefee, membership and special events manager, said discounted memberships are common at other museums/science facilities similar to the Clay Center.

"They tell us that these memberships make up as much as 20 percent of their overall membership base," Menefee said. "We hope as many people as possible will take part in this program, and we're doing all we can to spread the word about it.

"In order to fulfill our mission, we want to provide access to as many families and children as possible.  The center belongs to everyone."

The program was created to allow access to the Clay Center to families who are enrolled in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Children's Health Insurance Program or Women, Infants and Children. To apply, families can pick up an application at the Clay Center box office and provide a photo ID and proof of benefits in any of the programs listed above.

In addition to free admission to the museum galleries and the planetarium, the membership benefits include unlimited $2 admission to giant screen films, free admission to more than 200 museums worldwide, discounts on birthday parties and workshops, a subscription to the quarterly members' newsletter, a 15 percent discount in the gift shop and a 10 percent discount in the café.

Clay Center president and CEO Judy Wellington called the program a logical step in the center's community outreach efforts. "We will continue to offer our annual free day and other one-time events, but this program enables families to visit the museum on their schedules, not just ours," Wellington said. "It really encourages a lifetime of exploration and learning."

The Clay Center has 1,300 households enrolled at the family level of membership.

Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and is located at One Clay Square.

Contact 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

Reach Sara Busse at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1249.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Clay Center takes a big step toward being an arts and science museum for all West Virginians with a discount program starting Monday.

"Access to Excitement," presented in conjunction with The Charleston Gazette, allows low-income West Virginia families to enjoy the benefits of a Clay Center membership -- including unlimited free admission to the museum galleries and the planetarium -- for a discounted rate of $20 for qualifying families. The regular annual family membership is $75.

"When the Clay Center was built, its founders promised to make the center available for all West Virginians, and this program makes great strides in fulfilling that promise," said Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. "The Access program will have far-reaching implications on how deeply and effectively the Clay Center is able to connect with, educate and serve families across the state."

Missy Menefee, membership and special events manager, said discounted memberships are common at other museums/science facilities similar to the Clay Center.

"They tell us that these memberships make up as much as 20 percent of their overall membership base," Menefee said. "We hope as many people as possible will take part in this program, and we're doing all we can to spread the word about it.

"In order to fulfill our mission, we want to provide access to as many families and children as possible.  The center belongs to everyone."

The program was created to allow access to the Clay Center to families who are enrolled in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Children's Health Insurance Program or Women, Infants and Children. To apply, families can pick up an application at the Clay Center box office and provide a photo ID and proof of benefits in any of the programs listed above.

In addition to free admission to the museum galleries and the planetarium, the membership benefits include unlimited $2 admission to giant screen films, free admission to more than 200 museums worldwide, discounts on birthday parties and workshops, a subscription to the quarterly members' newsletter, a 15 percent discount in the gift shop and a 10 percent discount in the café.

Clay Center president and CEO Judy Wellington called the program a logical step in the center's community outreach efforts. "We will continue to offer our annual free day and other one-time events, but this program enables families to visit the museum on their schedules, not just ours," Wellington said. "It really encourages a lifetime of exploration and learning."

The Clay Center has 1,300 households enrolled at the family level of membership.

Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and is located at One Clay Square.

Contact 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

Reach Sara Busse at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1249.