TORONTO, April 4, 2019—The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is pleased to announce 3rd Monday Nights Free, a new initiative that invites visitors to experience the Museum free of charge, every third Monday evening each month. Launching on April 15, 2019 and running from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 3rd Monday Nights Free is made possible by TD Bank Group through its corporate citizenship platform The Ready Commitment, and with the generous support of The Bennett Family Foundation.
“3rd Monday Nights Free builds on our ongoing commitment to open the doors of the Museum to as many visitors as possible,” says Josh Basseches, ROM Director & CEO. “The ROM is a vital part of the cultural and community life of our city and province, and with the launch of this new initiative, visitors now have a chance to enjoy a night at their Museum at no cost. We’re grateful to TD Bank Group and The Bennett Family Foundation for making this possible.”
On 3rd Monday Nights Free, visitors can enjoy general admission to the ROM’s collections and galleries. Access to feature exhibitions will be specially ticketed. Non-profit groups will be offered greater access to the Museum’s meeting areas and provided the space at a reduced cost on these evenings.
"An important part of building a more inclusive tomorrow is making arts and culture more accessible," says Andrea Barrack, Global Head of Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship at TD. "As part of our corporate citizenship platform, The Ready Commitment, we're helping to create more opportunities that bring people together to share experiences and to learn from one another. That's why we're excited to support 3rd Monday Nights Free--a program that provides free admission to the Museum for everyone."
“The ROM has long been a destination for people from all over Ontario and beyond to experience and learn about our past through awe-inspiring and thought-provoking exhibitions,” said Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “I’m pleased that through this new initiative, even more people will have the opportunity to explore the museum, and at no cost.”
This announcement marks the latest in a number of initiatives the ROM has undertaken to increase public access to the Museum and its extensive collection of art, culture, and nature. In 2018, the ROM opened the Daphne Cockwell Gallery dedicated to First Peoples art & culture free of charge to foster greater appreciation of the Indigenous collections stewarded by the Museum. And through the ROM’s Community Access Network (ROMCAN), a collaboration with 100 community partners across Ontario, the Museum provides free access to over 100,000 visitors every year. Most recently, the Museum introduced a social prescription pilot program in partnership with ROMCAN that enables people accessing health or social services to benefit from the enriching experience of engaging with art and culture, with free admission to the ROM.
The ROM will launch 3rd Monday Nights Free with an opening night celebration on April 15, which promises to be a lively and engaging evening for visitors of all ages.
With complimentary access and extended hours, visitors are invited to explore art, culture, and nature in the Museum’s 40 galleries one evening every month. Exhibitions are specially ticketed and not included with admission. Information on 3rd Monday Nights Free is available at rom.on.ca, with more details to follow.
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Josslyn Johnstone, ROM Communications
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