Financially Fit Activity - Museum Visits

On Monday, I shared a story about my high school friend, Susan, and today I wanted to talk about my college friend, Anne. We lived across the hall from each other all four years of school. When I met Anne freshman year, she was pre-med and had her sights set on a medical career, but then decided to switch majors to Classical Studies. Anne was my one college friend who had the “least practical” major, and despite the fact that she was happy with her major change, I secretly wondered (along with her parents I am sure) what the “f” she was going to do when she graduated. Well, she ultimately got her Masters in Art History and has had a successful career working in museums. I asked her to give me some thoughts on museums, their importance, and making museum visits.Art is for the MassesAnne has completely changed the way that I view art and the arts, and I am thankful for her knowledge. We were recently speaking to a bartender friend about what amazing things museums have to offer, and he stated that he didn't feel like art was for the "average" person. We informed him that he was in fact, wrong. Art is not just for the wealthy, thanks to museums, it is available to the masses. Most museums do not actually charge admission but take "suggested donations." If you are a client of Bank of America, they have a program called "Museums on Us" where you have access to over 150 museums for free just by showing your Bank of America credit or debit card. Below is something Anne wrote for me on why museums matters, and tomorrow I will share her list of the top museums you should visit. I encourage you to support your local museums, no matter what the size, they all have staff like my friend Anne working hard to make their collections relevant and important to us.Why Museums MatterA recent study from the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people are happier when they spend money on experiences rather than material purchases. Take a moment and think back to a museum experience you had that you found deeply satisfying, engaging, or intellectually stimulating. What did you see or do that made that experience so meaningful? In all likelihood, the experience you are remembering exemplifies what museums do best when they engage their visitors. Once hushed galleries have turned into vibrant cultural centers where activities go far beyond what’s hanging on the walls. Visitors can come to see an exhibition, attend a lecture, watch a movie, or listen to music. Museums are also exploring digital and mobile technologies to enhance the visitor experience. When I typed “museum apps” into Apple’s App Store, I got 1,971 results! Museums have shifted from being “about something” to being “for someone.” Museums today want to be relevant, valued, and ultimately successful at attracting visitors and serving as vital assets in their communities. As a result, they are expanding their programs to provide something for everyone. Pull up the webpage of a local museum and see what all they have to offer!When was the last time you visited a museum? What was your favorite part of the visit? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubpRcZNJAnE* Source Whitney Museum of American Art