Library Culture Pass Program

Art that inspires and engages, hands-on science that excites and educates, history that brings the Valley alive, plants and animals from here and round the world - all of this and more are waiting for you at Scottsdale Public Library! Library cardholders can now check out an admission for up to two people at participating cultural institutions!

Check Culture Pass availability »
The Culture Pass website »

What is the Culture Pass?

The program is a partnership between the Phoenix metro public libraries and area museums. The Culture Pass gives cardholders free admission for 2 people at participating organizations when they "check-out" the admission at their library.

Which museum admissions may be "checked-out"?

• Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park
• Arizona Museum of Natural History
• Arizona Science Center
• Cave Creek Museum - (Open October thru May)
• Children's Museum of Phoenix - (Closed on Mondays)
• Deer Valley Rock Art Center
• Desert Botanical Garden
• Desert Caballeros Western Museum
• Phoenix Art Museum
• Phoenix Zoo - (Culture Passes not valid for ZooLights admission)
• Pueblo Grande Museum
• Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

See a map of all the participating Culture Pass locations.

How can I check out a museum admission?

Customers can select the venue of their choice from the display at their Scottsdale library branch. Customers then need to bring the venue's card to a customer service desk along with their library card to "check-out" the admission pass. The library staff will issue a "date-due" slip. This date-due receipt serves as a voucher for admission the the museum.

*The yellow cards in the libraries are not redeemable for admission -- they need to remain at the library.

How many passes may be checked out?

Scottsdale Public Library cardholders may check out one pass per week, and only two passes per month.

How long will the pass valid?

The pass is valid for seven days from the time of check-out. It expires at the end of the day on the date on the slip.

May passes be used more than once?

Venues will collect the date due slips at the time of visit. The slips also expire after seven days whether they have been used or not.

Are the Culture Passes renewable?

Passes are not renewable.

May the public reserve a Culture Pass online?

No. Passes will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

Do the passes need to be returned to the library?

*The yellow cards in the libraries are not redeemable for admission.

In order to use the pass, you must take it to one of our customer service stations, and they will take the pass and provide you with a printed receipt to use in exchange for admission at the museum. So the Culture Pass itself never leaves the library.

If they have more people than what is allotted on the pass, do they get free admission on the higher ticket prices?

Yes. The free admission can be redeemed against the highest price ticket.

Are there restrictions on the Culture Pass?

The pass will cover admission to the venue, but not to special events/exhibits. Some participating organizations may have a few select dates when the pass cannot be used. Restrictions will be listed on both the program and the venue websites.

Many museums offer free days throughout the year also.

• Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park
  First Saturday of the month, 10 am to 4 pm
• Arizona Museum of Natural History
  First Sunday of the month, noon to 5 pm
• Children's Museum of Phoenix
  First Friday of the month, 5 to 9 pm
• Desert Botanical Garden
  Second Tuesday of the month, 1 to 8 pm
• Phoenix Art Museum
  Wednesdays, 3 to 9 pm
  First Friday of the month, 6 to 10 pm
• Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
  Thursdays, 10 am to 8 pm

Not-So-Secret List of Free Museums?

The following list of museums are not part of the Culture Pass Program, but have regular free admission days or are always free.

• African American Multicultural Museum
• Arizona Capitol Museum
• Arizona Military Museum
• Arizona Railway Museum
• ASU Art Museum
• ASU Museum of Anthropology
• The Book of Kells Museum
• Chandler Museum
• Ellie and Michael Ziegler Fiesta Bowl Museum
• Mesa Historical Museum
• Phoenix Airport Museum
• Phoenix Police Museum
• Tempe Center for the Arts
• Tempe History Museum
• Wells Fargo History Museum

Questions? Contact Information:

Ann Porter
Community Relations Coordinator, Scottsdale Public Library
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call (480) 312-7557

Mindi Carr
Public Relations, Phoenix Art Museum
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call (602) 257-2105