FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      
April 15, 2002

MEDIA CONTACT:   Jessica DiSanto, 317.232.1639
Jen Schmits Thomas or Megan Jones, 317.262.8080                                                                             


New Indiana State Museum to Offer Five Levels of Membership
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Perks include free museum admission; express line service for members


INDIANAPOLIS - When the Indiana State Museum opens May 22 in downtown Indianapolis' White River State Park, it will offer five levels of membership, from individual to family and grandparents.

All membership levels include one year's free admission to the museum, invitations to member-only events and exhibit openings, discounts on select education programs and classes, free subscriptions to the museum's publications, a 10 percent museum gift shop discount, and discounts on most IMAX(r) Theater ticket vouchers in addition to free vouchers.

The new museum also will have an "express line" at the membership desk to provide enhanced service to museum members. Members can use the express line to purchase discount IMAX Theater tickets and additional museum passes for guests, without standing in the general line.

The membership levels and prices are:
* Individual ($39) - One adult, includes one free IMAX Theater ticket voucher
* Individual Premier ($49) - One adult and one guest (the guest may change), includes one free IMAX Theater ticket voucher
* Family ($59) - Two adults and all dependent children age 21 and under, and includes two free IMAX Theater ticket vouchers
* Grandparent ($59) - Two adults and all dependent grandchildren age 21 and under, and includes two free IMAX Theater ticket vouchers
* Patron ($100) - Two adults, all dependent children age 21 and under plus two more adults, and includes six free IMAX Theater ticket vouchers

For more information, or to become a member of the Indiana State Museum Foundation, please visit www.indianamuseum.org or call the membership information line at 317.234.2150.

Daily admission fees for the new Indiana State Museum will be $7 for adults, $6.50 for seniors (62 and above) and $4 for youth (ages 4-12). Free admission will be given to Indiana State Museum Foundation members; all pre-scheduled and chaperoned Indiana school groups with a minimum group size of 10; recipients of Hoosier Works, the electronic benefits transfer program for low-income residents; and children ages 3 and under.

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The new Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, is the state's gathering place - inviting exploration, discovery and an ever-changing, family-friendly experience.  The ribbon cutting on May 22, 2002, will kick off a summer-long grand opening celebration.  Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday. More information about the new Indiana State Museum is available on the museum's Web site at www.indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637.