Are you looking for a way to discover the fascinating stories, intricate artworks and scientific marvels sprinkled throughout the Colorado Plateau but find yourself limited by a college student’s budget? The Museum of Northern Arizona’s (MNA) latest initiative is here to help make these financial barriers history.
From now until May 15, 2026, students at NAU and Coconino Community College (CCC) can gain free admission to MNA simply by showing a valid student ID at the museum’s front desk. The offer, made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor, extends to students regardless of their disciplines to encourage curiosity, educational inspiration and cultural knowledge sharing.
“Higher education and museums share a mission of discovery and lifelong learning,” said MNA spokesperson Nancy Wiechec. “This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting education and making the museum a welcoming resource for the next generation of thinkers, artists and scientists.”
Ali Applin, NAU’s director of community relations, serves on the museum’s board of trustees. Using her position to help deliver MNA’s resources to the communities that benefit from them the most, she said a highlight of the initiative is its ability to improve access to a range of exhibits for professors as well as their pupils.
NAU and CCC educators can arrange free tours or self-guided visits for their classes during the academic year by completing an online request form, connecting their students with tangible examples of geology, biology, anthropology and storytelling that elevate the learning experience. MNA has also held Educators’ Night Out events this semester, which allow teachers at all levels to explore field trip opportunities and Title I grant options for free.
“Access matters,” Applin said. “Free access to MNA means students can explore on their own, revisit exhibits multiple times and connect classroom learning to real-world examples all without worrying about cost. I hope professors see the museum as an extension of their classroom and that students see it as part of their academic and personal growth.”
This year, MNA is hosting a plethora of limited-time exhibits, including “Collecting in a Changing World,” which features paintings, weavings and artifacts representing resilience and evolving customs in Diné and Hopi-Tewa communities. Others include “Poetry Maps,” a collection of original short poems corresponding to paintings of Colorado Plateau landmarks; “Shifting Life Zones,” which incorporates interactive elements and scientific insights into an exploration of climate change impacts in northern Arizona; and an archaeology gallery that features more than 12,000 years’ worth of pottery, baskets and footwear materials from the region.
As the school year progresses, MNA will keep track of how many students visit in hopes of seeing enough support to justify renewing the grant for another year. If this happens, Applin said she hopes the collaboration will lead to NAU students making a mark on MNA not only as visitors, but also as interns, research collaborators and artists.
“NAU students are part of a vibrant community that sits in the heart of one of the most culturally and scientifically rich regions in the world,” Applin said. “MNA is a gateway to understanding and engaging with that heritage. This partnership is more than free admission. It’s an open invitation to explore, learn and be inspired by the stories and science of the Colorado Plateau. I encourage every student to take advantage of it and make the museum part of their NAU experience.”
Located at 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, MNA is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
Ava Hiniker | NAU Communications