BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM) will continue to offer free admission year-round to veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families as part of the Blue Star Museums program, sponsored by Special Risk Insurance DBA VFIS of Miss/Lou. This free admission program is presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and participating museums across America.
“Thanks to Mr. Stogner, on behalf of Special Risk Insurance DBA VFIS of Miss/Lou, the LASM is among the nation’s most generous Blue Star Museum participants,” states LASM President & Executive Director Serena Pandos. “The LASM is delighted and honored that Mr. Stogner selected LASM to show his appreciation for our nation’s heroes, and that delight is doubled when you get to see the expression on these heroes and their family's faces when they come in and learn their service is appreciated and being expressed through the free admission program.”
The Blue Star Museums program typically begins on Armed Forces Day in May and ends on Labor Day in September, serving active-duty military, first responders, and their families. At LASM, sponsorship by Special Risk Insurance, Inc. DBA VFIS of Miss/Lou has enabled the program to occur year-round since 2018.
“Our military service members and first responders go above the call of duty to protect their communities,” states Special Risk Insurance DBA VFIS of Miss/Lou Chief Operating Officer Brandon Stogner. “The Blue Star Museums program has proven to be an effective and educational way to give back to them and their families.”
In 2019, nearly 2,000 people received free access to LASM as part of the Blue Star Museums program. In 2020, despite pandemic-caused closure, limited hours of operation, and reduced museum capacity, 550 people were served by this program. By 2021, when veterans were added as beneficiaries, Blue Star Museums program attendance more than tripled compared to 2020, serving 1,866 participants. In 2022, program attendance nearly doubled when compared with 2021, serving 2,876 participants.
Over 20,000 veterans live in East Baton Rouge parish – nearly 5% of the parish’s population – and studies indicate that the arts play an important role in improving the health and wellness of this often overlooked and underserved population in our community. “The 2022 attendance was comprised of 1,890 adults, 912 children, and 74 seniors. That’s a remarkable outcome, and clearly appreciated by heroes and their families of all ages,” continued Pandos. “We are grateful to Special Risk Insurance DBA VFIS of Miss/Lou for their continued generosity and appreciation for all who place service above self.”
Special Risk Insurance DBA VFIS of Miss/Lou, a nationally recognized insurer of Emergency Service Organizations and the Regional Director for Volunteer Firemen’s Insurance Services in Louisiana and Mississippi, fulfills the need for an innovative approach to insurance products and risk management services for the emergency service industry. Today, they provide insurance, education, training and consulting to more than 15,000 emergency service clients in 49 states and Canada.
“Daily, our first responders and military sacrifice all so that we may stay safe and pursue happiness in our daily lives,” states Special Risk Insurance DBA VFIS of Miss/Lou President David Stogner. “The Blue Star Museums program allows us to say thank you for the sacrifices endured by themselves and their families.”
The Stogner’s donation has been made in memory of David’s late mother and founder of Special Risk Insurance, Lynda K. Vince. To learn more about this program and free admission to the LASM, visit lasm.org.
About the Louisiana Art & Science Museum:
Located at 100 South River Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 and housed on the banks of the Mississippi River in a historic railway station in downtown Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum believes that art and science shape each other, our lives, and the world.
Founded in 1962, the LASM is home to a permanent collection including over 4,000 objects; one of the only permanent ancient Egypt galleries in the southeastern United States, housing an authentic, Ptolemaic-era mummy; displays changing art exhibitions of local and international acclaim; and since 2003, the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium: the largest and most advanced planetarium in Louisiana and one of the largest in the southeastern United States.
LASM is now open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 AM – 3 PM, Saturdays from 10 AM – 5 PM, and Sundays from 1 PM – 5 PM. Museum doors open at 9:45 AM for seating in the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium. On Saturdays and Sundays, the last planetarium show runs at 4 PM. Admission, which includes unlimited access to all planetarium shows, is free for members and children 2 years old and under; $10 for children ages 3-12 and senior adults aged 65 and up; and $12 for adults. Active-duty military members, first responders, military veterans, and their families receive free admission with ID as part of the Blue Star Museums program, sponsored by Special Risk Insurance DBA VFIS of Miss/Lou.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Museum relies on the support of donations to operate; support the Museum and become a member for free general admission year-round at lasm.org. Stay in touch at lasm.org and follow us on Facebook (@theLASM) and Instagram (@lasmbr).
About Blue Star Museums:
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and participating museums across America. For a list of participating museums, visit arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps—and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
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