Free and low-cost art and culture memberships to sign up for
Historically seen as elitist and highbrow disciplines out of reach for many, arts organisations and galleries are increasingly seeking to make art and culture more accessible across the UK. From cheap film screenings to affordable tickets for some of the UK’s blockbuster art exhibitions, we’re confident that these discount schemes can help brew fascination and inspiration amongst creatives of all disciplines. Have a scroll below to start planning your inspiring day out!
1. Tate Collective
Location: London, Liverpool and Cornwall
Age range: 16-25
Price: Free
Joining the Tate Collective means free events, zine callouts and £5 tickets to big-name exhibitions by internationally-exhibiting artists. And the best part? Membership is completely free. Plus, those based in Liverpool and Cornwall can also sign up to become a Tate Collective Producer, where you’ll be able to programme events across multiple disciplines.
2. Dazed Club
Location: UK-wide
Age range: All ages
Price: £5
Just £5 gets you cheap – and often VIP – access to IRL and digital events ranging from talks to festivals, plus full access to Dazed’s 30-year archive and free copies of their quarterly magazine as soon as they’re out. You’ll also have access to open calls, meaning more opportunities to find work and build your creative network across many disciplines.
3. National Art Pass
Location: UK-wide
Age range: All ages, with caveats
Price: £45 for those under 30, £73 for those over and £110 for you and a plus-one
One of the most comprehensive ways to see the arts at a low price, the Art Pass gives members access to over 800 cultural sites across the UK at discounted rates, from free to half-price. Explore a diverse range of cultural spaces, from football museums all the way to film and even knitwear exhibitions.
4. Design Museum’s Emerging Designer Access Fund
Location: London
Age range: 18+
Price: Free
The Design Museum’s access programme offers emerging designers free access to the museum’s programme – including events and exhibitions. The scheme is open for those who may face financial or other barriers to visiting the museum, and are in further education or within five years of leaving education or setting up a business.
5. BFI’s 25 and Under
Location: London
Age range: 16-25
Price: Free
Signing up to BFI’s 25 and Under scheme means £3 tickets every Friday to watch films ranging from Academy Award and Bafta contenders as well as indie flicks, to special screenings of restored films getting the IMAX treatment. Plus, every year, you can catch all of BFI London Film Festival’s latest releases for just £5.
6. Museums Association
Location: UK-wide
Age range: All ages
Price: £49 a year for basic plan, £62 for full-time students, retirees and volunteers
Joining the Museums Association means free access to hundreds of museums across the UK. Full and concessionary members get an extra monthly magazine as well as access to online personal development programmes, with courses of note focusing on the decolonisation of museums and ethical ways to write about artefacts.
7. Young Barbican
Location: London
Age range: 14-25
Price: Free
Young Barbican members can attend exhibitions, shows, movies and talks – from performances by the London Symphony Orchestra, to the Guildhall’s modern take on Macbeth and the latest in contemporary electronic music and art – from £5-15. You’ll also have the chance to become a Young Creative, with opportunities for aspiring poets, film programmers and critics to participate in forums and workshops throughout the year.
8. ICA Blue Membership
Location: London
Age range: 16-25
Price: £20
With the Blue membership, gain free entry to all exhibitions and access to ICA’s streaming platform, Cinema 3. This membership is a great investment if you’re into events like 35mm screenings and talks with queer art and cultural trailblazers including Travis Alabanza and Kae Tempest, plus political figures such as Chelsea Manning.
9. Home Membership
Location: Manchester
Age range: All ages
Price: £30
One of Manchester’s most-loved venues, Home puts on a plethora of shows and exhibitions, including gender-swapped adaptations of Shakespearean plays. As a member, you’ll get two free cinema tickets, as well as discounts on theatre tickets, food, books and gifts from the venue.
10. Rich Mix’s Mixer Scheme
Location: London
Age range: 16-25
Price: £8
With their Mixer scheme, east London multidisciplinary venue Rich Mix offers £2 off live events from exhibitions about bulldogs to queer storytelling sessions, as well as £6 cinema tickets for everything from blockbusters to indie flicks. Membership also includes £3 doughnuts and 15% off hair cuts, so you’ll definitely get bang for your buck.
11. Royal Academy’s 25 and Under Membership
Location: London
Age range: 16-25
Price: Free
The Royal Academy allows those aged 16-25 to secure half-price tickets to exhibitions such as their annual Summer Exhibition, as well as blockbuster exhibitions throughout the year. Those in the 26-35 age group – or simply wanting a little extra – can also sign up to be a Young Friend, with free priority tickets for you and a plus-one, alongside access to a private lounge.
Read more about the Royal Academy’s 25 and Under membership here
12. The Lowry’s Under 30 Scheme
Location: Manchester
Age range: 18-30
Price: Free
Love theatre and live in Manchester? If you’re between the ages of 18 and 30, performing arts space The Lowry has your back, with massively discounted tickets. Use the dedicated promo code on all eligible performances to get your fix of everything from dance to art exhibitions and musicals.
13. National Theatre’s 25 and Under Scheme
Location: London
Age range: 16-25
Price: Free
Aged between 16-25 years old? Unlock £5 and £10 tickets for shows for all three spaces at the National Theatre, as well as gain access to discounted ticket options for a range of learning talks and courses. They range from re-stagings and reinterpretations of Greek tragedies to plays dealing with life in contemporary Britain.
Read more about the National Theatre’s 25 and Under scheme here
14. National Trust
Location: UK-wide
Age range: 18-25
Price: £38.40
With the National Trust membership, expect to see relics from centuries ago all over the UK – from 16th century needlework to historic joiners’ workshops. Some sites even have exhibitions combining medieval art with contemporary works – for example Rainham Hall’s magazine-style dedication to its most famous resident, photographer and designer Anthony Denney.
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This isn’t an exhaustive list of discounted art schemes in the UK – if you have any suggestions, drop an email to [email protected]!
Written by Creative Lives in Progress