All About Reciprocal Agreements

In the 1980s, a small group of Florida museums joined together in an effort to offer greater benefits for their members and patrons. In the years that followed, the group that started as a short member list circulated within the state grew to national organization with members across the country and beyond. 

The National Association of Reciprocal Museums was the first of its kind, and it continues to lead efforts to connect people and museums across North America with more than 1300 member organizations. Alongside similar programs, individuals have greater access to arts and cultural institutions than ever before, and most don’t even know it!

What are Reciprocal Agreements?

A reciprocal agreement is a mutual agreement between member institutions which allows you to access benefits from institutions within the same network. This means that by joining the membership of one organization, you may be eligible for perks such as free admission or shop discounts. You may also have priority access to special events or exclusive offers.

Some of the largest of these reciprocal associations include:

• National Association of Reciprocal Museums
• Association of Science and Technology Centers
• Art Museum Reciprocal Network
• Time Travelers Network
• Association of Children’s Museums
• American Horticultural Society
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Know Before You Buy

There are many benefits to obtaining a reciprocal membership, but joining one of the associations still costs money, so it pays to research which is best for you. To gain membership of a reciprocal association, you need to become a member of an institution within its network. You can often find a list of these institutions on the network website.

Don’t just choose the institution closest to you. Membership prices can vary significantly and some organizations may offer better deals for families or individuals. Additionally, certain institutions may offer you access to more than one association depending on which networks they are part of. There is typically no limitations on whether or not you need to live close to an a given institution in order to become a member, so take the time to search for the one that appeals to you most.

It’s important to note that these memberships may have limitations. For example, many network institutions offer free general admission, but if you want to see a special exhibit you will need to buy a ticket. Oftentimes, you cannot use full membership privileges on museums within a certain radius of your “home” institution. Local museums are more likely to offer you access, whereas larger ones can be more strict. You can call ahead or check your reciprocal association’s website to learn which restrictions may apply to you.

Member Organizations

Since Florida is where it all started, Florida citizens have more access than most to member organizations. In fact, many of Arts Axis Florida’s organizations offer reciprocal membership programs. This includes:

• The Dali
• Imagine Museum
• Morean Arts Center & Galleries
• Dunedin Fine Arts Center
• Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art
• Florida Holocaust Museum
• Tampa Museum of Art
• Tampa Bay History Center
• Polk Museum of Art
• Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
• Art Center Sarasota
• John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art
• Tampa Baseball Museum
• and many more!