Memberships will expire on the last day of the month, one year from date of purchase.
Membership gives you free, unlimited access to our permanent exhibits, The Forge, Animal and Science Labs every day we are open. Free, unlimited admission benefits do not include The Dome Theater (unless you are an Infinite member) or special touring exhibitions that require an additional ticket.
After you join or renew your membership, you will receive an email with your digital membership card attached that you can print or download to your smartphone device with Apple Wallet or GooglePay. Your guest exhibit and Dome Theater passes are digital and will automatically upload to your account
Pulsar & Pulsar Infinite:
Supernova & Supernova Infinite:
Galaxy & Galaxy Infinite:
Museums for All:
No. We will just add another year to your current expiration date.
When upgrading, you pay the difference between your current and new membership level, and your expiration date remains the same. If your renewal date is approaching, you may choose to renew-and-upgrade early, which will extend your expiration date for one full year. Once your upgrade is complete, your upgraded membership benefits will be effective immediately.
For your convenience we have two ways to make changes, additions, or updates to your information:
Email us at membership@smv.org or call 804.864.1449.
Please note: we can look up your membership account using your photo ID so you are able to visit even if you do not have your membership card handy.
All memberships are final sale and non refundable or transferable.
No. Museum memberships are not transferable and benefits are exclusively for the individuals listed on that membership. You can purchase an additional membership to give as a gift or share your guest exhibit passes.
As a general rule, a membership payment is only tax deductible to the extent it exceeds the value of the benefits provided in exchange. We estimate that the membership benefits provided at these membership levels exceed the cost of the membership. As a result, those membership purchases are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
The full amount of a Supporting membership is tax deductible since additional passes and benefits are not included with the membership. For more information, please contact our Foundation team at annualfund@smv.org.
Yes! You may apply the cost of Museum exhibit admission to a new membership within two weeks of your visit date. Please bring your original sales receipt to Guest Services or call 804.864.1400 and they will be happy to assist you. The cost of Dome Theater tickets and tickets for select touring exhibitions cannot be applied.
Yes! Simply bring a form of photo ID and your membership purchase confirmation email to Guest Services and a team member will assist you.
Members can add Infinite Dome to any membership level (Pulsar, Supernova, and Galaxy) for an additional $50. This includes Giant Screen Movies, Cosmic Expeditions and Science After Dark Dome features.
No. All digital Dome Theater and guest Exhibit passes are valid for one time use only. Guest Exhibit passes must be redeemed in person or online and are only valid for regular exhibit admission. Exhibit guest pass holders receive a member discount on touring exhibitions with an additional charge
No. Membership admission cannot be used for school groups because the school group is not covered by your membership. Only those adults and children named on your membership are permitted. Individual membership guest passes and other discounts are not valid toward group admission fees.
No. Paid group demonstrations are not part of a member benefit if you use your membership to check-in separately from the group.
The Science Museum of Virginia is an accredited member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). Museum members receive free or discounted general admission to our network of over 300 member museums all over the world. Click here for an updated list of all participating museums.
Prior to your visit, make sure the science center/museum you are visiting is not excluded from the ASTC benefits.
*ASTC Passport excludes organizations within a 90-mile radius of the visitors science center or residence.
*This distance is measured “as the crow flies,” meaning that it is based on the linear radius, not driving distance.
The primary named member will receive all print/digital mail from the museum that includes membership renewal letters, monthly member e-newsletters, and quarterly mailers. All other named adult members on a membership will receive electronic communications only if we have an email address listed for them.
The monthly member e-newsletter includes updates on exhibitions, programs, events, exclusive offers, hands on-at-home activities, and much more.
It is likely that your payment and our renewal mailing crossed in the mail. It takes up to two weeks to receive and process a renewal payment by mail. If you sent in your payment, please disregard the second notice.
Yes! There are three ways to purchase a gift membership.
The Science Museum of Virginia welcomes your corporate support. To learn more about corporate membership benefits contact Sarah Bierlein, sbierlein@smv.org, 804.864.1548.
Exhibit guest passes, Dome Theater passes, discounts on food, the gift shop, special programming and a digital membership card. Dome Theater passes are digital and automatically applied to the membership at the time of purchase.
The recipient determines when their benefits begin by activating the membership online or by contacting our membership team at 804.864.1449 or membership@smv.org. The member will need the Gift Voucher Code in order to activate their membership
Your Gift Voucher Code acts like a gift card on our website. Membership benefits will begin when activated. To activate your membership online, note the membership level of your gift, then:
Gift memberships expire on the last day of the month, one year from date of purchase. (If you purchased a membership on May 12, 2021, it will expire on May 31, 2021)
Digital membership cards are emailed to the gift recipient at the time of activation.