There has never been a time when saying thank you to educators has been more essential. As we approach Teacher Appreciation Week (May 3-7, 2021) it’s easy to reflect on the challenges this past year has brought. Teachers are a resourceful group and without a doubt, we have proven that throughout the COVID crisis. There are a few perks to the job though, and it’s not only the warm feeling of helping a child! Through my years of teaching, I learned to carry my school ID card around because a surprising amount of places provide discounts and perks to educators. So, with art teachers in mind, here are places that show their love and appreciation to teachers with discounted (or even free) products. All these are geared toward art educators.

*Do you have a favorite place that isn’t listed? Email us! We’ll add it.

Art and Craft Stores

  • Blick Art Materials
    What is the deal? Blick has a free customer loyalty program called BLICK Preferred Customers that rewards their customers with price matching and discounts. Teachers, educators, faculty, and staff who are part of the Preferred Customers program can receive 10% off purchases made at Blick Art Materials retail stores when they show a valid school ID at the time of purchase.
  • JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores
    What is the deal? JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores helps teachers save 15% on every purchase with the JOANN Teacher Rewards Discount card. Verify your teaching credentials when signing up for the free card.
  • Michaels
    What is the deal? Michaels offers teachers, faculty, and staff a 15% discount on both in-store and online purchases. The discount can be used on sale items and it’s easy to sync your teacher status to an existing or new Michaels Rewards account.
  • Pencils.com
    What is the deal? Cedar pencil shop Pencils.com has an Educator Discount Program which provides teachers, school administrators, and school officials a 10% discount on all orders placed at Pencils.com. You must set up an account at Pencils.com to take advantage of the Educator Discount.
  • Silhouette America
    What is the deal?
    Teachers in the U.S. can apply for special discounts through the Educator Discount Program of Silhouette America. Sign up for a free account and send your credentials to education@silhouetteamerica.com (link).
  • Sketch for Schools
    What’s the deal? Provides reasonable sketchbooks to schools. Sketchbooks can be customized as well.

Technology

  • Adorama
    What’s the deal? High school and college teachers of film, photography, and other related programs can register for the Adorama Student Educator Program for discounts and expedited shipping on select products (source).
  • Adobe
    What’s the deal? Teachers can get 60% off their first year of Adobe Creative Cloud when they purchase directly from the Adobe Store. Proof of eligibility is required (link).
  • Apple
    What’s the deal? The Apple Store for Education offers discounted rates on MacBooks, iPads, and other Apple accessories to college educators and homeschool teachers (link).

Bookstores

  • Bookman’s
    What’s the deal? Bookmans offers educators currently teaching in the classroom a 20% discount on all entertainment exchange purchases with membership in Project: Educate. We do require proof of current employment to sign up for Project: Educate. Bring your confirmation email, a valid ID, and your proof to your nearest Bookmans location after signing up.
  • Books-a-Million
    What’s the deal? 20% off purchases for the classroom with a BAM Educator’s Card

Museums

  • Adventure Science Center
    What is the deal? They offer free admission to certified active Tennessee educators. Must have proof of eligibility at the time of purchase. Free admission is only valid for the educator, not their guests. (Does not include Planetarium show.)
  • Art Institute of Chicago
    What is the deal? Free admission to Illinois educators when you register online and show a current school ID.
  • Boston Children’s Museum
    What is the deal? Half-price admission for active New England K-8 Teachers with a valid work ID, union card, or pay stub AND photo ID.
  • Carnegie Science Center
    What is the deal? Teacher Appreciation Program, which offers free admission for you! If you work in a school in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, or New York, you are eligible for the program. To join the Teacher Appreciation Program, complete this form and present the pass that you receive to the admissions desk staff along with your official school ID.
  • Colonial Williamsburg
    What is the deal? A 50% admission discount is available to educators year-round. Be sure to present a valid teacher ID at the ticketing office.
  • Crayola Experience
    What is the deal? Teachers receive free admission every day by showing a valid school ID or a recent pay stub plus a photo ID at the admission counter. Available in FloridaPennsylvania,  and Minnesota. (There is a Crayola Experience in Texas, however, it does not state their teacher discount policy online.)
  • Discovery World
    What is the deal? Free admission when you sign up online using your school email address. You will receive a confirmation email within 2 weeks with instructions on how to obtain your personal Educator Community Card. With the card, you also get free access to VIP Tours of Labs and Studios.
  • Elvis Presley’s Graceland
    What is the deal? K-12 teachers receive free admission to tour the former Memphis, Tenn. estate of The King with a valid school ID or recent pay stub or dated letter on school letterhead stating you’re a teacher at your school.
  • Exploratorium in San Francisco
    What is the deal? Offers free admission to California K-12 teachers.  Teachers must apply online for the voucher.
  • The Field Museum of Chicago
    What is the deal? Teachers from throughout Illinois (pre-K through 12th grade) receive free Basic admission. Please show your employee ID when purchasing tickets at the museum. You cannot take advantage of this special offer when buying tickets online.
  • The Florida Aquarium
    What is the deal? offer a 15% discount on memberships for Florida DOE-licensed educators.
  • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
    What is the deal? Massachusetts Teachers Association members can celebrate Boston’s favorite female patron of the arts for half-off regular admission, or enjoy buy one, get one free pair of tickets. Faculty of participating universities in the University Membership Program enjoy complimentary museum admission.
  • Kennedy Space Center
    What is the deal? The Educator Study Pass offers Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands teachers complimentary access to Kennedy Space Center’s Educator Resource Center. Present a valid teacher’s certificate, teacher ID, or letter on school letterhead signed by the principal.
  • Legoland in Florida
    What is the deal? Florida teachers (PreK-12) get one year of free admission to the park by presenting their valid FDOE Professional (or Temporary) Certificate, a recent paystub (within 30 days), and current Florida photo ID.  The pass expires one year after the first use.
  • Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Missouri
    What is the deal? Teachers enjoy a free visit to the birthplace of Missouri’s wittiest state treasure when visiting with a school group.
  • Milwaukee Art Museum
    What is the deal? Wisconsin K-12 teachers who present a valid school ID or pay stub will receive free admission to the museum.
  • Museum of Science, Boston
    What is the deal? Licensed K – 12 educators who are actively employed in public or private New England schools are invited to join the Teacher Partner Program, offering many key benefits.
  • Museum of Science + Industry in Chicago
    Illinois teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade) receive free Museum Entry* for themselves by completing this online request form or showing a valid occupational/military status I.D. when purchasing tickets onsite.
  • Natural History Museum
    What is the deal? California K-12 teachers get free admission any day of the week with a school ID or current pay stub.
  • New England Aquarium
    What is the deal? Massachusetts Teacher Association or Boston Teachers Union cardholders receive free Aquarium admission for themselves if they show their MTA or BTU card at the ticket booth.
  • Orlando Science Center
    What is the deal? Free for Florida teachers with a valid teaching certificate, school ID, or copy of your most recent pay stub.
  • Peabody Essex Museum
    What is the deal? New England Teachers: Admit 1 – Use promo code: NEteacher
    Teachers Outside New England: $5 off
  • Perot Museum
    What is the deal? Teachers must present proof of current teaching status at the Museum Box Office for admission. Free teacher admission applies only to Perot Museum general exhibits and is good for one (1) general exhibits admission ticket per day, per teacher.
  • SeaWorld
    SeaWorld® Orlando is proud to offer a complimentary SeaWorld Florida Teacher Card to all active and certified K-12 Florida grade school teachers.
    The card provides Florida teachers with unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando through September 5, 2024.
  • Shedd Aquarium
    What is the deal? Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin can receive a complimentary Shedd ticket by registering online. This offer is not valid during special events or for admission to the 4-D Experience.
  • South Carolina Aquarium
    What is the deal? South Carolina-certified K-12 teachers receive free admission and $25 off any level of regular membership. Please call (843) 577-FISH (3474) to learn more.