Dear Erin,

Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy today underscored her months of advocacy for greater inclusivity in Boston's free museum program as Mayor Michelle Wu prepares to announce an expansion of the initiative. The program, previously called "BPS Sundays," is reportedly being rebranded as "Boston Family Days" and is expected to include all Boston families starting in 2025.

“For nearly a year, I have championed the expansion of this program to ensure all families in Boston, regardless of where their children attend school, have equal access to our city's world-class cultural institutions,” said Councilor Murphy. “Today’s announcement reflects the hard work and dedication of those who believe in equity and inclusivity for every child in Boston.”

Last night, the administration released the Mayor’s public schedule, which included details of a press conference scheduled for today at the Museum of Science. “The announcement, which I discovered in her public schedule email, was the first indication that the Mayor had finalized updates to the program. This lack of communication is especially concerning given that the administration declined to participate in the Council Hearing we scheduled in October, where we had hoped to receive an update on her plans to expand the pilot program. To date, I have not been briefed or officially notified by the administration about the specifics of this plan,” she said.

Due to her commitment to the City Council’s weekly meeting, Councilor Murphy will be unable to attend the event. “While I would have welcomed the opportunity to join this important announcement, the timing of this press conference conflicts with my Council responsibilities. Transparency and collaboration are key to ensuring programs like this are successfully implemented and accessible to all families.”

The pilot program, launched in January as "BPS Sundays," offered free admission to cultural institutions for Boston Public School students and their families on select Sundays. Councilor Murphy and Councilor Flynn have repeatedly called for expanding access to include families whose children attend charter, private, METCO, and parochial schools—all of whom are also Boston taxpayers and represent diverse, often underserved communities.

“Expanding this program to include all families has always been about fairness and ensuring every child in Boston has opportunities to experience the educational and cultural benefits our world class museums offer,” she added.

Councilor Murphy reiterated her commitment to working with the administration and cultural institutions to ensure the program is inclusive and accessible. “I look forward to reviewing the full details of the Mayor's announcement and continuing to advocate for programs that reflect the diverse needs of Boston's families.”

Sincerely,