Free Access for Military Families and First Responders at MOCA Jacksonville
MOCA Jacksonville, part of Arts UNF at the University of North Florida, has proudly partnered with CSX and Blue Star Museums to offer free admission to the families of active duty and former military and first responders, through Labor Day on September 7, 2026. 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. The goal of the program is 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.
"Military families and first responders make invaluable contributions to our communities every day,” says Angela Costa, CSX Sr. Manager of Community Investment. “Through Pride in Service and our partnership with MOCA Jacksonville, CSX is helping broaden access to educational and cultural experiences for those families while supporting a valued Jacksonville institution."
CSX is one of the nation's leading transportation suppliers. The company is headquartered in Downtown Jacksonville just a few blocks from the museum. Both CSX and MOCA are working to provide opportunities to area military families and support downtown revitalization efforts.
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 youth in Duval County through school tours and family programming, and supports local artists through opportunities to exhibit, teach, and enhance programming at the museum. 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 access this program, please bring valid military or first responder identification. Those who qualify are welcome to bring up to five family members. Learn more on our visit page.
Operational support for MOCA Jacksonville is provided by the City of Jacksonville, the Donald and Maria Cox Fund, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, Joan and Preston Haskell; the MOCA Director’s Circle; the University of North Florida; and Visit Jacksonville.
ABOUT CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural and consumer products. For nearly 200 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.
ABOUT MOCA JACKSONVILLE
Located in the heart of downtown, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is one of Northeast Florida’s most significant cultural assets and among the earliest contemporary art museums established in the United States. Founded in 1924 by four visionary local women artists dedicated to community building through the arts, the museum began as a series of exhibitions supporting public education and has evolved into a leading art museum. Today, MOCA continues their vision through a mission dedicated to promoting the discovery, knowledge, and advancement of the art, artists, and ideas of our time.
MOCA Jacksonville is a vibrant asset of Arts UNF at the University of North Florida and is one of only three percent of museums accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the field’s highest national recognition. The museum presents exhibitions and programs focused on work from 1960 to the present, advancing scholarship, creativity, and public engagement while positioning Jacksonville as a vibrant arts destination.
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