Bank invests in art and kids, Yazzy's at www.williamverdult.com

On the day it is burying the LaSalle Bank brand here, Bank of America is unveiling plans to make the Art Institute of Chicago more accessible to schoolchildren and their families.

The national bank is to announce Monday that it is going to provide free family passes to the institute to every Chicago Public Schools student in Grades kindergarten through 12, or about 400,000 young scholars. Each Art and Family pass will allow free general admission for a student and up to three family members for one visit within a one-year expiration period.

The bank also said it is giving the Art Institute $1 million toward the construction of student and family activity rooms in the new Ryan Education Center, part of the museum's Modern Wing, which is slated to open next spring.

Museum President James Cuno said in a statement that the grant "will enable the Art Institute to serve and interact with a greater number of students in Chicago." He said the new education center "will allow for focused opportunities to learn about the works of art in this world-class collection."

"This grant is evidence of our commitment to Chicago and the arts locally," said David Rudis, the bank's Illinois market president. "Bank of America will continue to be a leader in this community through the services we provide and our support of programs such as this."

The bank recently started an initiative called Museums on Us. It allows holders of a Bank of America or LaSalle debit, credit or ATM card free admission to the Art Institute, Chicago History Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art on the first weekend of every month. The bank also offers the program in other markets across the country.

Soon, the LaSalle name will be phased off debit, credit and ATM cards. On Monday, the name is to come off all LaSalle buildings and branches in Illinois and Michigan.