Membership: Frequently Asked Questions

How can I join or renew my membership?

You can join or renew your membership online, at a ticket desk, over the phone by calling 1-800-440-6975, or send a check by mail to Membership, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

When does my membership expire?

Memberships are effective immediately on the date of purchase, and expire on the last day of the month of purchase, one year in the future.

How much does a membership cost?

The first level of membership begins at the Individual level for $90, followed by the Friends and Family level at $140 and the Ambassador level at $300. Many members choose to increase their impact to the Museum by giving above and beyond their membership dues with an additional gift to the MFA Fund, to make an even greater impact on the health and vitality of the MFA.

How can I upgrade my membership?

If you are a current member and wish to increase your membership support and get additional benefits, please contact us at membership@mfa.org, visit any ticket desk during your next visit, or send your check by mail to Membership, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

How can I update my mailing address or contact information?

Please e-mail your new contact information to membership@mfa.org or visit any ticket desk during your next visit and we will update your information.

How can I check if my membership is still valid?

You can check the status of your membership by logging in to your account or e-mailing membership@mfa.org.

How can I automatically renew my membership every year?

To save time (and paper!) members can enroll in the Automatic Renewal Program. There are three ways to sign up:

Online

• Active members can join the Automatic Renewal Program by visiting Automatic Renewal Management.
• When you renew your membership, choose your desired membership level on the Membership page and click Join or Renew. After entering the membership dollar amount, click the checkbox below to sign up for Automatic Renewal. The credit card you provide will be charged on an annual basis for the dollar amount entered.

By Mail

• Check the “Sign me up for MFA Automatic Renewal” box on the back of your recent renewal notice.

How can I check or change my automatic renewal enrollment status?

When you enroll online or by mail, you will receive an e-mail within 24 hours of the processing of your gift, which welcomes you to the Automatic Renewal Program and confirms your enrollment. You can check or change your enrollment status any time at the Automatic Renewal Management page.

How much will I be charged with automatic renewal, and when?

You’ll only be charged annually during the month of your expiration the amount you indicated during enrollment. Feel free to contact us at any time to confirm that amount. To change this amount for any reason, please contact us at least one month prior to your expiration date to ensure we make the correction before charging your card.

See Member Cards: Frequently Asked Questions.

Gift membership certificates can be purchased online, over the phone at 1-800-440-6975, or at a ticket desk. The recipient of the gift membership redeems their membership by using the gift certificate number provided at purchase and supplying their personal contact information.

Do I need the recipient’s name or contact information?

No, gift membership certificates do not require any contact information for the recipient. The gift recipient provides their contact information when they redeem the certificate number to activate their new membership. Each certificate has a unique certificate number that is either printed on the certificate itself when purchased in person or is in a confirmation e-mail when purchased online. The purchaser is responsible for providing this number to the recipient. When they are ready to start their membership, the recipient will need the number to redeem the certificate online against the membership level of their choice. The credit associated with the certificate will be applied to membership’s cost at the time of redemption.

Can a gift membership certificate be used in the MFA Bookstore and Shops or toward dining or parking?

No, gift membership certificates are only redeemable toward a membership.

How do I redeem a gift membership certificate online and activate my membership?

1. Go to Gift Membership. Select “Join or Renew” under the level of membership at which you’d like to join.
2. Select the amount you would like to contribute for your membership. Enter a number that is at least the minimum for that level, and click “Continue.”
3. Log in to your account. If you have not yet created an account online, please click “Create an Account” and enter your name, address, and phone number.
4. When reviewing the order in your cart, enter the Gift Certificate Number in the Gift Certificate ID field in the Apply Gift Certificate box and click “Apply My Gift Certificate.”
5. Enter your payment information on the next page to complete your order.

How do I access my online account?

Log in to your account. If you signed up at the Museum and gave us an e-mail address, a temporary member login was created for you. Go to Find Your Account, enter the e-mail address you used to sign up for your membership, and you’ll receive an e-mail with a link to create your permanent login information.

If you purchased your membership online, you’ve already created your login information.

What if I forget my login or password?

Go to Find Your Account to request a password reset link to be sent to the e-mail on file. If you have forgotten the e-mail address linked to your login or need to update it, please e-mail your request to our membership team at membership@mfa.org.

How can I reserve member-priced special exhibition tickets online?

You must be logged in to your account to reserve any free or discounted member tickets. If you attempt to reserve a number of tickets that exceeds the limit allowed by your membership level benefits, a message will appear instructing you to go back and adjust your order. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at membership@mfa.org.

How can I add another person on to my account?

If you are a Friends and Family level member or higher, you may add a secondary member to your account, if you have not yet already done so. This second member will receive the same benefits as you, including the ability to log in with their own e-mail address and reserve member priced tickets. Simply contact our membership team at membership@mfa.org or visit a ticket desk during your next visit.

How can I update my contact information?

Log in to your account and click on the user icon or your e-mail address listed next to “Logged in as” at the top of the screen to get to the Edit Your Account Information page. Please note we will not honor complete name changes. If you have a change to your name other than a spelling update, contact membership at membership@mfa.org.

Redeem Admission toward Membership

Visitors who have purchased full-priced admission tickets ($27 or $34) can redeem them toward an MFA membership by visiting any ticket desk during their next visit or by calling 1-800-440-6975 within one month of their visit.

Any admission ticket can be applied. For example, here’s how you can save:

Individual (regularly $90)

• Redeem one general admission ticket to pay only $63 for the year
• Redeem one special exhibition ticket to pay only $56 for the year

Friends and Family (regularly $140)

• Redeem two general admission tickets to pay only $86 for the year
• Redeem two special exhibition tickets to pay only $72 for the year

$30 Discount on Membership for Artists, Students, and More

The Museum offers the following discounts on membership, which are valid for $30 off a membership at the Individual, Friends and Family, or Ambassador level. If you believe you are eligible, you may request the discount by visiting a ticket desk during your next visit or by calling 1-800-440-6975. If you have questions about your eligibility for the discount, e-mail membership@mfa.org.

Please note the discount cannot be applied retroactively to a previously purchased membership.

• Artist Discount: Proof of professional artist status may be requested.
• Student Discount: Proof of valid school or college ID may be requested. Students may wish to check whether their college or university is a participant in the University Membership Program first; see University Membership for a list of participating colleges and universities. Please contact your representative at the associated school or university for details on how to access free or discounted tickets. Students need to be at least 18 years old to qualify for the discount.
• K–12 Teacher Discount: A valid school ID, letter on institution stationery from a K–12 principal or administrator, or a valid/active MTA card may be requested. MTA members must be actively teaching; retired status is not accepted.
• Active Military and Veterans: Sponsored by MFS Investment Management.
• EBT Card Holders
• Wonderfund Access Card

MFA Citizens

MFA Citizens is a program that enables newly naturalized US citizens living in Massachusetts to receive a one-year free membership. Visit MFA Citizens for more information.

Members receive discounts and a variety of benefits according to their giving level. For more information on your benefits, visit Membership. Log in to your account to see your current membership level, expiration date, and admission and ticketing privileges.

What Museum discounts do I get with my membership?

MFA Bookstore and Shops

Members save 10% at MFA shops. To use your discount in-person, present your membership card at checkout.

To use your discount at the online MFA Shop, enter your member ID during the checkout process. Note that an account on the MFA Shop website is separate from the mfa.org member account.

Please note that the discount does not apply to consignment merchandise, gift cards, or MFA memberships.

Dining

Members save 15% when dining at the Museum. Please see Dining for the latest information about what’s open and venue hours. Present your membership card at checkout to receive your discount.

Parking

Depending on the length of your stay, members can save up to 40% on parking. Please see Parking for member rates. Scan your membership card at any exit-lane pay station or the kiosks in the garage lobby. Your discount is applied and a new total to be paid is displayed on the screen.

Studio Art Classes

Member discounts for studio art classes differ by both member level and type of class. See Studio Art Classes Information and Policies for more information.

I’m a member through my college or university. Do I get the same benefits?

The University Membership program allows universities to provide their students, faculty, and staff with free admission to the Museum. Visit College and University Programs for more information on these benefits. Please note that organizational members can obtain same-day general admission tickets by visiting a ticket desk and presenting a valid ID on the day of their visit. Special exhibition tickets can be purchased for $7, day of visit. Visit Tickets for more information.

Ambassador members receive membership privileges at 21 other institutions. To receive the member benefits at the following participating institutions, please contact their membership office prior to your visit.

For those wishing to visit the MFA from reciprocal organizations, please present your valid membership card at any ticket desk.

• The Art Institute of Chicago
• The Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh
• Cincinnati Art Museum
• The Cleveland Museum of Art
• Dallas Museum of Art
• The Detroit Institute of Arts
• The High Museum of Art, Atlanta
• Indianapolis Museum of Art
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
• The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• The Saint Louis Art Museum
• The Seattle Art Museum
• The Toledo Museum of Art
• Vancouver Art Gallery
• Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
• Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford
• Walker Art Center, Minneapolis

Make sure you’re signed up to receive member e-mails so you get notified about member presales. Members can reserve special exhibition tickets ahead of the general public.

What is the tax deductibility of my membership?

A MFA membership at the Individual, Friends and Family, or Ambassador level is considered a fully tax-deductible charitable donation, and is non-refundable. The letter you receive in the mail that contains your membership card can serve as your tax receipt, and additionally you can request a tax receipt by e-mailing membership@mfa.org.

Can I pay for my membership via DAF, IRA, or Family foundations?

Yes. Simply direct your payment for the full amount of the membership to:

Membership
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

All memberships paid through these methods will be fully tax deductible. An acknowledgment of the gift as well as your membership card(s) will be sent directly to your home address upon receiving the transfer of funds.

All members and nonmembers need to reserve a ticket for special exhibitions, and we strongly recommend you reserve in advance.

Yes, members can use their valid membership card to enter the Museum for general admission. Members cannot use their membership alone for admission to special exhibitions; both members and nonmembers need a separate ticket for entry into special exhibitions.

Yes. We know sometimes plans change—if yours do, please help more people in our community enjoy special exhibitions by rebooking, exchanging, or canceling your tickets ahead of time. We hope you come to the Museum as planned, but if you decide not to, other visitors might miss out if you don’t use your special exhibition tickets.

Members, if you need to reschedule:

• To reschedule special exhibition or any paid tickets, contact us in advance of your visit date by calling 1-800-440-6975 to exchange your tickets for another date. Tickets are non-refundable, but can be exchanged prior to the visit date. A $4 exchange fee applies.
• If you do not arrive for a special exhibition, you will forfeit your limited free exhibition ticket(s) and we will not be able to reschedule you for another time slot.

General admission and special exhibition allotments per membership level are listed below.

Note that entry to special exhibitions require a separate ticket. We encourage members to reserve special exhibition tickets in advance.

Children 6 and under are admitted free with a ticket.

Individual

General admission (per day):

• Free general admission for one adult

Special exhibitions (includes general admission):

• Two free tickets (adult or youth) per exhibition

Friends and Family

General admission (per day):

• Free admission for two adults
• Free admission for four youths (ages 7–17)
• When free allotment is used up: Two $5 guest tickets (adult or youth)

Special exhibitions (includes general admission):

• Four free tickets (adult or youth) per exhibition
• When free allotment is used up: Two $7 tickets (adult or youth) per day

Ambassador

General admission (per day):

• Free admission for four adults
• Free admission for four youths (ages 7–17)
• When free allotment is used up: Four $5 guest tickets (adult or youth)

Special exhibitions (includes general admission):

• Four free tickets (adult or youth) per exhibition
• When free allotment is used up: Four $7 tickets (adult or youth) per day

General Admission

Free youth admission (ages 7–17) starts at the Friends and Family level. Children 6 and under are admitted free.

Special Exhibitions

All visitors regardless of age are required to have a ticket for special exhibitions. Members have access to free or discounted special exhibition tickets, limited to the benefits of their membership level. We strongly recommend reserving special exhibition tickets in advance.

If you have already provided us with your e-mail address, you have been signed up automatically. You can also send your contact information to membership@mfa.org.

MFA Mail is e-mail that keeps you up to date on everything that happens at the Museum. You do not have to be a member to get MFA Mail.

Member and Donor Mail is e-mail that pertains specifically to your membership and any other MFA donor groups to which you belong.

You can sign up for e-mail and update your account and interests at any time by logging in. If you signed up at the Museum, a temporary member login was created for you. Go to Find Account on the login page, enter the e-mail address you used to sign up for your membership, and you’ll receive an e-mail with a link to create your permanent login information. If you joined online, you’ve already created your login information.

Please see the Museum’s Privacy Policy for more information.

Access to Curators Circles is a benefit of elevated membership. Current members of the following programs are invited to participate in Curators Circles:

• Advocates
• All members of the Patron Program
• Museum Council Fellows

The annual contribution to join a Curators Circle is $1,500, which covers enrollment in one group for two people.

Visit Curators Circles, select the Curators Circle you want to join, and click “Join or Renew.” You will be prompted to log in and validate your Museum membership before you can proceed. You may also join or renew by calling 617-369-3548, or by mailing a check to:

Curators Circles
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

Please make check payable to Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and indicate in the memo line the name of the Circle(s) you wish to join.

If the online join or renew process is not working for you, the most likely reason is that you don’t meet the Museum membership prerequisite. See “Do I need to be a member to join Curators Circles?”

Your participation in Curators Circles is valid for one year and will match the annual cycle—with the same expiration date—as your elevated Museum membership.