Free Sundays at Cleveland Museum of Natural History Begin This Month

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History today announced a $3 million grant from the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation, which will provide increased access to the Museum and support the development of new community space within the education wing. Starting January 23, 2022, the gift will provide free admission every Sunday to residents of Cleveland and East Cleveland through the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Community Days. In addition, the grant will fund the creation of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Community Space, a new center for community-oriented programming that is a key component of the Museum’s transformation. The grant also represents the largest gift the Museum has received from the Mandel Foundation.

“On behalf of the people of Cleveland and East Cleveland, I’d like to thank the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation for their visionary support in making the Museum’s exhibits and programs readily accessible to everyone in our community,” said Sonia Winner, President and CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. “It is imperative that learners of all ages and backgrounds have access to scientific information to help them make informed decisions both about their own lives and as part of the community. Together, the weekly Mandel Community Days and Mandel Community Space help us advance these goals which are central to everything we do.”

This summer, the Museum sponsored a survey conducted by the Marist Poll, which found that 85 percent of the public wants to learn more about science, while close to half report they are falling behind in their understanding. The Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Community Days will welcome Cleveland and East Cleveland residents free of charge every Sunday, starting January 23, 2022, and continuing for the next three years. The Mandel Community Days also build on the CMNH’s commitment to being an accessible and inclusive museum, which includes offering $1 admission to participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the Museums for All program sponsored by Paul Lincoln and Kathy Toderick, and comprehensive collaborations with the school districts serving Cleveland, East Cleveland, and Akron students.