CUNY ID unlocks more than just education:

College students in general carry a lot of stress and when it comes specifically to CUNY students, a way to relax and enjoy life outside of school may come in a form of exploring NYC. However, a plethora of these students aren’t aware of all the great resources available to them as they are busy with many things such as studying for their classes. The most essential item given to a CUNY student, is their ID card. This not only holds access to their education and identities, but also one of the valuable resources available to CUNY students, which are free admissions to select museums with proof of student ID. The free places listed are: Americas Society, Asia Society and Museum, The Frick Collection, Guggenheim Museum, Intrepid Museum, Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, The Jewish Museum, Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, El Museo del Barrio, The Museum of the City of New York, Museum of Jewish Heritage, MoMA, September 11 Museum, Poster House, Queens Botanical Gardens, The Shed, Museum of Illustration, and The Whitney Museum (“Free Museum Admission”). 

History of CUNY Arts Initiative:

Students who enjoy the arts, want to learn something new, or simply adventure in a wondrous city are welcome to enter these places. CUNY Arts is the initiative that allows for this experience (“CUNY Arts”). The chancellor at the time being, started to implement this action in 2016 in order to promote diversity in cultural organizations after realizing there was a lack of various communities in these places (“CUNY Launches Landmark Initiative to Open City’s Arts and Cultural Institutions to Students”). There are more perks than just free admission to these venues from CUNY Arts, such as academic courses, programs, and even internships (“MOMA Free Admission and Professional Development Programs for CUNY Students!”). NYC is full of the creative arts and within recognizing that, CUNY was able to create a foundation for eager students to have these opportunities. 

Experiencing the MoMA as a Hunter Student:

 Knowing this, I wanted to take advantage myself and see how the experience would be as a CUNY student compared to if I wasn’t. One of the big-name museums I haven’t been to before is the Museum of Modern Art and reading that off the list, I had my eyes set on visiting it, especially since it is close by to Hunter. Even though it was a weekday in the afternoon, there was still a tremendous crowd of people lining up and entering. There were two sets of bag checks and only a straight path of people in single file were allowed to enter. Regardless of the extremely long line, I was able to get to the checkout tablets until I realized you can only get in for free admission by speaking with the clerk in the ticket booths and having physical proof of your ID. It would have been easier to check in through the tablet and scan my ID instead of having to go on a different line and waiting after groups of others. However, if I weren’t a CUNY student, the check-in process would have been more difficult using a tablet on my own and a regular ticket would have cost $25. The line moved decently, and the clerk checked me in on his computer and gave me the tickets immediately, there wasn’t any need to give notice of attending beforehand. Fortunately, it was not a hassle, and the process went smoothly. With my ticket, I had the freedom to enjoy the art and nature that was in front of me.

 I wanted to get the full experience, so I made sure to check all the areas on each floor. The respective sections had unique themes ranging from exhibitions to architecture, throughout the time periods of the 1880’s to the present day. I saw things that I didn’t even know could be considered art, like dishes and furniture. Throughout my wandering there, I realized that this art wan’t just something to visually enjoy, but something I could learn rich history from and critical knowledge. I saw poster-boards intricately designed with logos, funny artwork, antiques, sketches for spaceships, the history of ecology, and the anatomy of an AI system among many more. I was fascinated at the information that a tiny college ID card could unlock for me and thousands of others. One of the most memorable and relatable parts relative to newer CUNY students, is the Please Knock: A Teen of Album Art installation. High school students had created what they depicted to be a teenager’s bedroom and it was an interactive area to make your own art, stories, and touch all the props. Before leaving, I noticed that there was outdoor seating and an illuminating garden with statues and water around it. Not only did I get to see what the museum itself offered, but also enraptured the soothing nature around it for free. 

Additional and Concluding Information:

The MoMA specifically, has accessibility that can be useful to students such as all-gender restrooms, sound amplification, and ASL interpreters. However, I did notice that it was a bit hard to navigate the museum on my own and it would have been beneficial to have a tour guide or specialized map of some sort. Additionally, for this venue, faculty planning a trip with a class can give an advanced notice in order to enter for free admission. Students who are enrolled full-time have one free admission per visit as well as the staff. It is important to note that Monday mornings are reserved for members only, so students may not go in at that time. This experience could aid students who might have an assignment on one of these institutions or simply want to try something new. It is even explained that “MoMA makes a significant annual donation of exhibition catalogues and primary resource publications to CUNY libraries and organizes special events and programs at the Museum for CUNY faculty and students” (“MoMA/CUNY Partnerships | MoMA”). Unfortunately, some downsides are that students may find this content boring or are simply uninterested, but the offer will always be there as long as they have their CUNY ID. 

Works Cited

“CUNY Arts.” The City University of New York, www.cuny.edu/academics/current-initiatives/cuny-arts/#p10. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

“CUNY Launches Landmark Initiative to Open City’s Arts and Cultural Institutions to Students.” CUNY Newswire, www1.cuny.edu/mu/forum/2017/02/21/cuny-launches-landmark-initiative-to-open-citys-arts-and-cultural-institutions-to-students/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

“Free Museum Admission.” Office of the Arts at Hunter College, 27 Oct. 2021,

ooa.hunter.cuny.edu/free-museum-admission/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2023.

“MoMA/CUNY Partnerships | MoMA.” The Museum of Modern Art, www.moma.org/teaching/education-partnerships/moma-cuny-partnerships. Accessed 29 Sept. 2023.

“MOMA Free Admission and Professional Development Programs for CUNY Students!” Feirstein Film School Community, 2 Apr. 2021, feirstein.blog.brooklyn.edu/bulletin/cuny-bc-events/moma-free-admission-and-professional-development-programs-for-cuny-students/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.