DOYLESTOWN, PA.-The James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown and New Hope offers free admission to all school groups, kindergarten through 12th grade, visiting in 2008. This generous gift to the community’s young people is made in celebration of the institution’s 20th anniversary. The Museum’s Education Department anticipates introducing over 10,000 students to the permanent collections and special exhibitions through this innovative new program.

Free admission for school tour groups in 2008 is sponsored by The Rose Group, a restaurant management company which owns and operates over fifty Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland .

“We are honored to partner with the Museum in assisting the youth in our communities to participate in the arts” says Harry T. Rose, Chairman and CEO of The Rose Group. “We have sponsored many programs that support education and this is a fantastic opportunity for schools to get involved regardless of budget restrictions. We know that participation in the arts opens the mind and world of a child and look forward to seeing that happen through this program.”

Nearly 6,000 students in Bucks and Montgomery counties currently utilize the Michener Art Museum each year as an extension to classroom learning. This free admission program will greatly expand that number. Tours at the Museum meet national and state standards in education, and are tailored to focus on school curriculums.

According to Adrienne Romano, the Museum’s Curator of Education, “Through interactive gallery discussions, creative visual analysis and hands-on activities, a visit to the Michener encourages students to use their imagination in new and different ways. Inquiry-based discussions promote language development, observational abilities and critical thinking skills—all of which students need for application to multiple subject areas and everyday life.”

Bruce Katsiff, Director and CEO of the Michener Art Museum , adds: “The Museum has been built with thousands of local contributions from across this community. This generous gift from the Rose Group allows us to open our doors to thousands of new young people as we celebrate our 20th anniversary.”

To make a reservation for a school tour at the Michener Art Museum , teachers must contact Sharon Schwartz at (215) 340-9800 x124 or sschwartz@michenerartmuseum.org. Tours are offered beginning at 9:00 a.m. Only pre-booked docent-led or self-guided groups are included in the free admission program. Chaperones in the allotted 1 to 6 ratio are free; a reduced admission fee of $5.50 per adult for general admission and $9.50 for special exhibitions applies for any additional chaperones. Teachers are encouraged to contact the Museum at least three weeks in advance. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first served basis. More information about specific school tours and teacher programs is available online at www.michenermuseum.org/teachers/.

Each student who visits the Museum with a school tour receives a free pass for a child’s return visit, along with an Applebee’s coupon good for a free kid’s meal or $5.00 off an adult entree.

The mission of the Museum is to collect, preserve, interpret and exhibit art of the Bucks County region as well as American sculpture; to present changing exhibitions that offer a broad range of artistic expression; to offer a diverse program of educational activities; and to teach the community about Bucks County artists of all creative disciplines. Annual attendance exceeds 135,000 visitors. The Museum hosts 18-20 annual exhibitions including traveling exhibits that engage visitors with the entire spectrum of art. Classes, lectures, concerts and films develop a lifelong involvement with the arts. Educational activities serve more than 14,000 children annually. The Museum now has over 12,000 members, a strong demonstration of support and commitment to maintain the arts in our community.

The Rose Group, headquartered in Newtown , Pennsylvania , is the 35th largest restaurant franchise company in the United States . The company currently owns and operates 54 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bars in eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland . Recently selected as the first franchisee for the Corner Bakery Cafe, the Rose Group plans to add approximately 25 locations in the Philadelphia and South Jersey markets. The Rose Group also co-owns and operates The Shannon Rose, an independent Irish pub and restaurant in North Jersey . More information is available at www.therosegroup.com.