This summer Tacoma Art Museum will offer free admission to military personnel and their families as part of the nationwide NEA-sponsored Blue Star program, involving more than 1,300 museums around the country. This is the second year TAM has participated, and the offer runs through Labor Day.

“Tacoma Art Museum is proud to support the men and women serving our country and to give back to them and their families by sharing with them the gift of art,” said Stephanie Stebich, Tacoma Art Museum director. “We seek to connect people through art and to build our community.”

The free admission program is available to active-duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members). Active- duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and active-duty National Guard and active-duty Reserve members. Last year nearly 700 military members and their family visited TAM under the program.

Other local Blue Star museums include Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, DuPont Museum, and Seattle Art Museum. For a full listing nationwide, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Tacoma Art Museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday and 5-8 p.m. third Thursday. Usual admission is $10/$8/free for five and under and third Thursdays. 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 253-272-4258, www.tacomaartmuseum.org