Join the Museum!

Friends of the Museum is a nonprofit group that helps make hundreds of educational programs, exhibits and research at NCMNS possible, but we couldn’t do it without YOU! Join as a member today and help bring the Museum to life!

As a thank you for your support, you’ll enjoy free, unlimited admission to our latest special exhibitions, "Spiders: Fear to Fascination," open June 17–October 8, 2023. Members also enjoy discounted admission at 300+ museums worldwide, discounts in our Stores and Cafés, exclusive invitations to member events and exhibition previews, and so much more.

Spiders: Fear to Fascination. A peacock spider shows off its brilliant coloration against a teal background.

 

Questions? Contact us at 919.707.9959 or membership@naturalsciences.org.

Membership Levels and Benefits

Become a member or renew your membership! Give a gift of membership to provide year-round excitement and experiences like special exhibitions, events and more to a loved one. Learn about special benefits offered to each membership level below.

Memberships are in 12- or 24-month increments. Save $10+ when you purchase a two-year membership. If you’re at least 65 years old, you may enter the code Senior65 at checkout for a $5 discount on your membership.

Basic Membership Benefits (Apply to all levels)

*Local restrictions may apply to the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Travel Passport Program. Visit the ASTC Passport Program website for more details and a full participant list. Always call institutions in advance of your visit to confirm Travel Passport Program benefits.

**Help us save paper by choosing electronic membership cards! Download the free “e-Membership Cards” app in the Apple iTunes App Store or Google Play.

Teacher Benefits

All basic membership benefits above apply to named adult(s), plus:

Go Green With E-cards

Membership cards typically take 4–6 weeks to arrive in the mail. The quickest and easiest way to access your membership cards is to download them electronically to your smartphone. If you’re on the go, need quick access to your membership information and looking for a paper-free option, we encourage you to go green with our digital membership cards!

Help us save paper by choosing electronic membership cards! Download the free "e-Membership Cards" app in the Apple iTunes App Store or Google Play. Here's a handy 3-step guide to opt in: e-Membership Cards Setup Instructions (PDF)
A Museum staff member comes face-to-face with Permian Monster Inostrancevia.

Individual Membership — $55/year | $100/two years

All basic membership benefits above apply to one named adult.

  • Your membership contribution is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Join or renew Individual Membership

Individual + 1 Membership — $65/year | $120/two years

All basic membership benefits above apply to two named adults or one named adult and guest, plus:

  • Unlock the Museum for private Museum rentals for weddings, parties and more!
  • Your membership contribution is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Join or renew Individual + 1 Membership

Meeting a live turtle at summer camp.

Family Membership — $75/year | $140/two years

All basic membership benefits above apply to two adults and their minor (ages 3-17) children/grandchildren in the household, plus:

  • Register before the general public AND receive $30 off of Summer Camps.
  • Create lasting memories and save $35 on themed Birthday Parties.
  • Your membership contribution is fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Join or renew Family Membership

Family + 1 Membership — $125/year | $240/two years

All basic and Family-level membership benefits apply, plus:

  • Get FIRST-priority registration and $30 discount on Summer Camps.
  • Bring a guest to enjoy 3D movies at the member price, member-exclusive events and VIP experiences at Museum events.
  • Receive two complimentary movie passes to the WRAL 3D Theater.
  • Estimated fair market value of benefits: $42/one year | $84/two years

Join or renew Family + 1 Membership

Museum members and guests dressed up for the Mardi Gras Adult Night in the Nature Research Center.

BECOME A CATALYST! — $130/year | $250/two years

Designed for ages 21+, this level is a catalyst for those looking to connect with like-minded people who make a difference at the Museum and in the community!

You and a friend receive Adult Night tickets, exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, member “fast lane” access at special Museum events like BugFest, opportunities to socialize with fellow Catalysts, and more!

All basic benefits of membership apply to two named adults or one named adult and guest, plus:

  • Receive two free tickets ($40 value) to one Adult Night event per year, excluding Natural Selections.
  • Receive two free drink tickets to each Adult Night event.
  • Access sold-out Adult Night events.
  • Estimated fair market value of benefits: $84/one year | $168/two years

Join or renew Catalyst Membership

Naturalist Society Membership — $255/year | $500/two years

All Family + 1 level membership benefits apply, plus:

  • Bring your friends! Get two additional free movie passes to the WRAL 3D Theater (four total per year).
  • Receive invitations to exclusive VIP receptions.
  • Estimated fair market value of benefits: $52/one year | $104/two years

Join or renew Naturalist Society Membership

Explorers Society Membership — $505/year | $995/two years

All Naturalist Society-level membership benefits apply, plus:

  • Bring your friends! Get one additional guest (two guests total per membership) into member-exclusive events, and VIP event experiences.
  • Enjoy two additional free movie passes to the WRAL 3D Theater (six total per guest per year).
  • Save 20% on all gift memberships!
  • Estimated fair market value of benefits: $62/one year | $124/two years

Join or renew Explorers Society Membership

Curator Christian Kammerer leading a member-exclusive tour of the Paleontology Collection.

Brimley Society Membership — $1,000/year | $1,985/two years

All Explorers Society-level membership benefits apply, plus:

  • Receive two additional free movie passes to the WRAL 3D Theater (eight total per year).
  • Benefit from special offers, events and more with a dual Smithsonian Affiliate membership.
  • Save 20% in Museum Stores.
  • Get 25% off of facility rental fee for Museum rentals for Sunday through Friday rentals*
  • Be recognized on Brimley Society donor panel and Museum website!
  • Monthly payment option.
  • Estimated fair market value of benefits: $84/one year | $168/two years

Join or renew Brimley Society Membership

*Contact the Museum Rental Coordinator for additional pricing information and availability.

Learn more about additional Brimley Society levels and benefits.