1 "Thursday Night Thing" at the San Diego MCA
photo by Terri Rippee
Art on the town
Museums target younger patrons with chic after-hours events
By Leah Urbom
Published: May 9th, 2008 | 1:55pm
The contemporary art world has experienced its ups and downs. It's been viewed as innovative, controversial, provocative, and bourgeois, but its impact on art education and society is tough to deny. In recent years, modern art appears to have lost its elitist stigma, as a number of museums are focusing on a younger, hipper market. To draw a trendy crowd, there are a series of nighttime events in which attendees can sip cocktails, view exhibits, meet new people, and basically have a good time.
Here's a taste of museums around the country that host after-hours events.
Chicago
First Fridays at Museum of Contemporary Art
6 p.m.–10 p.m. first Fridays, $15
mcachicago.org
This event at the Chicago MCA consists of Wolfgang Puck hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar with specialty drinks, live music, an iMac G5 digital dating bar, and open galleries for guests to wander freely. Exhibits rotate monthly to feature Chicago artists who will be participating in the museum’s up-and-coming "New Artists/New Work" collection. Discounted pricing is available for MCA members and those who purchase tickets in advance.
Cleveland, Ohio
MOCA::Mix & rock! MOCA at Museum of Contemporary Art
time and price varies
mocacleveland.org
The Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art hosts several monthly events that fuse art with music, film, and fashion. On some nights the museum will screen films with local ties, and others nights may showcase local or global music artists of vastly differing genres. In the past, the MOCA has welcomed guests such as Parts & Labor, Baby Dayliner, and international jazz artists the Vijay Iyer Quartet. No one can say that the Cleveland MOCA isn’t diverse in its offerings.
Jacksonville, Florida
ArtWalk at Museum of Contemporary Art
5 p.m.–9 p.m. first Wednesdays, free
mocajacksonville.org
“ArtWalk” is a monthly community-wide event that takes place in the downtown Jacksonville area. More than 40 venues participate, and guests can walk freely through the streets, viewing work by local artists. Outdoor activities have included boat rides downriver, live music groups on the street, and raffle drawings. Some area restaurants serve discounted meals. The anchor site for the walk is the Jacksonville MOCA, which supports live music and special guests while patrons view museum exhibits. Some Wednesday evenings are host to “MOCA Underground” —special film screenings that cost $8 ($6 for members and students).
Miami, Florida
Jazz at MOCA at Museum of Contemporary Art
8 p.m.–10 p.m. final Fridays, free
mocanomi.org
The “Jazz at MOCA” outdoor concert series occurs the final Friday of the month on the North Miami Museum of Contemporary Art’s lawn. Patrons are welcome to come equipped with a picnic basket, a bottle of wine, and a readiness to hear the sounds of local and international jazz artists. The museum’s galleries are open by donation.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
After Hours at Walker Art Center
9 p.m.–12 a.m. dates vary, $35
walkerart.org
Originally designed as the Minneapolis happy hour alternative, "After Hours" features previews of the museum's touring exhibits, hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, live music, films, and art creation. "Party People Pictures" captures guests and displays their photos moments later onto the museum walls and the museum's Flickr site. Members pay only $25, and discounts are available when purchasing tickets online.
New York City, New York
Get Weird at New Museum
7:30 p.m., third Thursdays, price varies
newmuseum.org
Formed in early 2008, third Thursdays at the New Museum are the nights to witness "Get Weird: Experimental and Freaky Jams." Artists range from the young and unknown to well-established; genres vary from salsa to psychedelic jams. Performers have included Andrew WK and experimental band Hex Message. The New Museum encourages attendees to get down and get weird.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Whenever Wednesdays at Institute of Contemporary Art
time varies, donations encouraged
icaphila.org
Almost every Wednesday evening, it's likely that the Philly ICA will be up to something. Whether it's cult-classic horror films , performance art, or live music from local rock bands, “Whenever Wednesdays” are a must-see. The museum has even been known to participate in an open video call to allow new artists and filmmakers the chance to screen their films in a short festival. “Whenever Wednesdays” are free with museum admission.
San Diego, California
Thursday Night Thing (TNT) at Museum of Contemporary Art
7 p.m.–10 p.m. first Thursdays, $3
mcasd.org
The San Diego MCA hosts an eclectic series of events every first Thursday of the month. Past events have included DJ lessons, poetry readings, slide jams, and artist lectures. Often times “TNT” continues on to an after-party at a local hot spot. Admission is free to members.
Scottsdale, Arizona
SMoCA Nights at Museum of Contemporary Art
9 p.m.–12 a.m. dates vary, $15
smoca.org
Always on a Thursday evening, SMoCA Nights are not quite monthly, but more of a seasonal kind of thing. Free appetizers and a cash bar are included, and the museum hosts an array of activities that share a unique theme for the evening such as “Branded and On Display,” “Sputnik,” and “Radical Mod.” Events include fashion shows, DJs and live music performances, and exhibition shows. Admission is $10 for members.
Seattle, Washington
SAM After Hours at Seattle Art Museum
5 p.m.–9 p.m. first and second Thursdays and Fridays, free with admission
seattleartmuseum.org
The SAM is bursting with lively nighttime events, seeing as the first and second Thursdays and Fridays participate in “SAM After Hours.” First Thursdays are “Art for All,” which includes music and activities relating back to museum exhibitions. First Fridays are “SAM Remix,” where turntable artists perform in a happy-hour setting. On second Thursdays, there is either “Art of Jazz,” which hosts local and national jazz artists, or “SAM Word,” which are spoken-word performances. Second Fridays is actually a teen night aimed at 13- to 19-year-olds complete with art tours, workshops, DJs, and poetry performances.
Issue #36
Comments
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snelson (10 days)
Our Detroit Institute of Arts also host LATE NIGHT FRIDAY open till 10pm you can listen to music, draw from the collection with some instruction I am one of the Teachers for this and have a great meal from Chef Larry -www.dia.org
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