Blue Star Free Military Access Presented by CSX

For the second year, CSX is making contemporary art more accessible by supporting Blue Star Free Military Access, which offers free admission to the families of active duty and former military and first responders from Armed Forces Day on May 18 through Labor Day on September 2, 2024. The Blue Star Museum initiative is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums nationwide that wish to show appreciation for military families who face multiple deployments and reintegration challenges. To support this program, CSX partnered with MOCA Jacksonville to expand this free admission opportunity to include not only active-duty military, but also former military and first responders. 

"We are thrilled to extend our support to military families and first responders through our partnership with MOCA Jacksonville. Through our signature philanthropic initiative, Pride in Service, CSX supports hundreds of thousands of active-duty, veteran and first responder service members across our rail network, while also representing the pride the company has in serving our hometown of Jacksonville," says LaSandra Boykin, community investments director at CSX. "MOCA is a Jacksonville treasure with something for everyone to discover and this partnership underscores our commitment to military families and first responders by providing them with free access to the enriching experiences offered at the museum. We hope this partnership serves as a token of our gratitude and a gesture of appreciation for their dedication to our community and nation."

CSX is one of the nation's leading transportation suppliers offering a broad range of services including rail, intermodal container and rail-to-truck transload services. The company is headquartered in Downtown Jacksonville just a few blocks from MOCA Jacksonville. Both CSX and MOCA are working to provide opportunities to area military families and support the revitalization of downtown. 

Through its commitment to community building, MOCA Jacksonville provides access to arts and educational experiences for the entire community, introduces contemporary art to thousands of students in Duval County through school tours and family programming, and supports local artists through the exhibition of innovative, locally created works of art. With an ambitious program schedule, MOCA provides a platform for community discussion and debate, critical and creative thinking, and cultural exploration, while acting as a vital community convener for creative conversation. The museum team is committed to providing opportunities to connect and experiences that are welcoming, respectful, thought-provoking, and engaging.

To take advantage of this program, please bring valid military or first responder identification. Those who qualify are welcome to bring up to five family members. Learn more about visiting MOCA Jacksonville by clicking here. 

Operational support for MOCA Jacksonville is provided by the City of Jacksonville, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the Donald and Maria Cox Fund, the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, the Haskell Endowment, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, MOCA Jacksonville’s Centennial Sponsors, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the University of North Florida. Additional support provided by the Jax Fine Arts Forum.