Harn to celebrate importance of museums Thursday

Published: May 9 2011

Category:Announcements, Happenings, InsideUF

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Harn Museum of Art will offer special Museum Nights activities from 6 to 9 p.m. May 12 as part of the International Council of Museums International Museum Day and Association of Art Museum Directors Art Museum Day.

Participation by AAMD member museums emphasizes the lasting impact art museums have on their communities, highlights the value of the visual arts in society and provides new opportunities for audiences to participate in the wide-ranging programs that art museums offer. In 2010, the Harn Museum of Art, along with 90 other AAMD member museums across North America, participated in International Museum Day.

Several fun, family-friendly activities have been planned to celebrate the theme of “museums and memory.” Susan Cooksey, Harn curator of African art, will present a gallery talk focused on how objects preserve memory and Harn Registrar Laura Nemmers will discuss her role in protecting collections at the Museum.

Other activities will include a performance by the Gainesville International Folk Dancers, games focused on memory and tips on how to protect keepsakes at home. Visitors will also have the opportunity to leave their creative marks on a memory wall, created especially for the celebration. Additionally, the opening reception for the Alachua County Public Schools’ Student Art Exhibition will be held this evening and visitors will have the opportunity to view the students’ work in the auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m.

AAMD member museums — located across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — include smaller regional museums as well as large international institutions. International Museum Day is organized annually around the world by the International Council of Museums. AAMD’s celebration is an opportunity to focus attention on the role of art museums in North America, as part of ICOM’s global celebration of museums.

Category:Announcements, Happenings, InsideUF