VALDOSTA — The Meta Shaw Coleman Children’s Imagination Station in Valdosta has recently joined Museums for All, a national access program designed to encourage museum visits across all backgrounds. This initiative will allow families receiving food assistance benefits to visit the popular children's museum at a significantly reduced rate.
Under the Museums for All program, eligible individuals and families can gain admission to the Imagination Station for a minimal fee of $5 per person. This reduced rate applies to up to four people per visit and is available during all normal operating hours. To participate, guests must present a valid SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card along with a government-issued identification at the time of purchase. The Imagination Station is located at 512 N. Ashley St., making it easily accessible for Valdosta residents.
Kimberly Cliett, director of Meta Shaw Coleman Children’s Imagination Station, emphasized the local importance of the program. “At the Children’s Imagination Station, we believe that when children have access to hands-on learning experiences, they develop the tools they need to succeed,” Cliett stated. She added that through the Museums for All program, the institution is proud to help reduce financial barriers and create opportunities within the supportive community, so guests can "be creative, curious and connected."
This participation is part of the Imagination Station’s ongoing commitment to welcome all families and to inspire creativity, curiosity, and connection through imaginative play experiences for local children. The program directly addresses the need for accessible educational and recreational opportunities for families across Lowndes County and the surrounding South Georgia region.
Museums for All is a signature access program supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM). Its broader mission is to expand access to museums nationwide and raise public awareness about the efforts museums in the U.S. are making to reach their entire communities. The program is widely adopted, with more than 850 institutions participating across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These participating institutions include a diverse range of facilities, such as art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, and history museums.
For Valdosta families planning a visit, the Meta Shaw Coleman Children’s Imagination Station operates Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eligible visitors interested in purchasing Museum for All tickets must do so in-person at the Imagination Station’s front desk.
