This Sunday, September 21st, museums across the city of Austin will participate in Austin Museum Day. This annual event invites the Austin community to rediscover the museums in our city with a day of free admission and activities. More than 35 local institutions are opening their doors to the community to welcome them to come learn and explore. Whether it’s art, science, culture, or history, Austin Museum Day has something to delight and inspire everyone.
You can start the day right in The Austonian’s backyard with the 2nd Street Public Art Crawl. Learn about and discover public art pieces in the 2nd Street District that shape the feel of the downtown Austin area. The guided walking tour starts at 10am at the City Hall Plaza, or there are printable maps available if you prefer to tour and view the art at your own pace.
For a more traditional museum experience, the Blanton Museum of Art is also participating and offering free admission and activities throughout the day. Animal lovers will delight at their featured exhibit, “In The Company of Cats and Dogs”, which explores how artists have portrayed our furry companions over the years, from ancient times to modern day. There will also be activities to inspire the creativity of any and all amateur artists throughout the day.
If you’re more compelled by science rather than art, The Thinkery is holding activities to stimulate scientifically curious minds both young and old. Come explore the exhibits related to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math at this new and popular museum. The Thinkery also holds periodic events specifically for adults wanting to explore the exhibits without reserve. More info about The Thinkery21 events can be found here.
These are just a sampling of the possibilities available this Sunday. Other well-known (and less well known) museums around town, like the Bullock Texas State History Museum, The Contemporary Austin, the Elisabet Ney Museum, The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and many more, will also be open and free to discover. To explore other options and to view the full schedule of openings and events, take a look at the Austin Museum Day website.
Photos courtesy The Contemporary Austin & Blanton Museum of Art
