Dallas, TX—February 13, 2024—The start of a new year means the opportunity to embark on new journeys with creativity! From lectures with renowned scholars to FREE admission days and sensory-friendly programming, there is something for everyone at the DMA in the coming months.
This April, in honor of Autism Acceptance Month, the DMA will expand its programming and continue partnerships with local arts and culture organizations for Sensory Day celebrations. In addition to Sensory Day at the Nasher Sculpture Center and Open Studio Sensory Hour, both of which offer sensory-friendly, art-filled fun with less noise, crowds and stimulation, the Museum will host its inaugural Barefoot Day. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 27, the DMA will offer this special sensory experience as a show of support for the neurodiverse community as part of the Barefoot Autism Challenge.
“We strive to create a space where everyone, regardless of background, age or ability, can engage with and be enriched by the transformative power of art,” said Agustín Arteaga, The Eugene McDermott Director. “Museums are a place of solace and discovery that everyone should have the opportunity to experience without barriers. We are excited to offer these new programs and continue to make advancements in providing access to all.”
Families with aspiring art aficionados and mini-Monets should be sure to mark their calendars for the DMA’s 2024 Spring Break Family Fun, inspired by the exhibition The Impressionist Revolution from Monet to Matisse. This week of totally FREE events, including art making, family tours, special community guests and gallery activities, is the perfect way to spend time off from school. The DMA has plenty for the grown-ups, too! Ranging from lectures with visiting scholars to Late Night celebrations, Arts & Letters Live talks to a live game of Clue, the Museum calendar has date night covered!
Every month, guests will have an opportunity to explore every corner of the Museum at no cost with DMA FREE First Sundays: Access for All! This new offering expands the Museum’s free general admission to include all ticketed exhibitions on the first Sunday of each month through the end of 2026. DMA FREE First Sundays also includes opportunities to engage and connect with art through free on-site programming. Guests can visit Open Studio to play and create and explore all four floors of the Museum on a docent-led Collections Highlights Tour.
Guests can plan their journey at dma.org/calendar and learn more about DMA programs at dma.org/programs.
DMA FREE First Sundays: Access for All
First Sundays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free; no ticket reservations required
Every first Sunday of each month in 2024, the DMA will offer free exhibition admission once a month with DMA FREE First Sundays: Access for All. You heard us right! Guests who visit the Museum on the first Sunday of each month will have the opportunity to experience ticketed exhibitions at NO COST, in addition to dynamic on-site programs and over 5,000 years of stunning permanent collection works! Generous support is provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
FREE First Sundays: Collection Highlights Tour
First Sundays, 2–3 p.m.
Free; no registration required
FREE First Sundays: Open Studio
First Sundays, noon–4 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Awards to Artists
Applications are open through March 1, 2024.
Apply now to the DMA’s Awards to Artists grants! Each year, the DMA provides financial support for emerging and established artists in Texas and the Southwest United States. Many of these recipients have gone on to have successful careers across the country, and several are now represented in the Dallas Museum of Art’s permanent collection. Awards to Artists reaffirms the Museum’s longstanding commitment to recognizing and supporting local artists and providing resources for these artists to expand their artistic practice.
Arts & Letters Live
Arts & Letters Live presents Kristin Hannah in conversation with Jane McGarry
Thursday, February 15, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Selected Shorts: While You Were Sleeping hosted by Meg Wolitzer
Saturday, March 2, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Xochitl Gonzales in conversation with Claudia Vega
Thursday, March 7, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Tommy Orange in conversation with Albert Old Crow
Tuesday, March 26, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Rena Pederson
Thursday, April 4, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Emily Franklin & Natalie Dykstra
Wednesday, April 10, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Elizabeth Acevedo in conversation with Samantha Mabry
Tuesday, April 16, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Leigh Bardugo
Thursday, April 18, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents an evening with David Sedaris
Thursday, April 25, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Ruth Reichl
Sunday, May 5, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Nicolas Kristof in conversation with Krys Boyd, KERA
Wednesday, May 22, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live presents Kevin Kwan
Thursday, May 30, 7:30–9 p.m.
Registration required
Arts & Letters Live is a literary and performing arts series that features award-winning authors and performers of regional, national and international acclaim. The series is recognized for its creative multidisciplinary programming—combining literature with visual arts, music and film—and for commissioning new work from musicians, dancers and poets, inspired by works of art in the Museum's collection and special exhibitions.
Museum Murder Mystery: An Artful Game of Clue
Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Registration required
Have you ever wanted to play a live game of Clue? Put on your detective hat and solve one of our popular Museum Murder Mysteries. Each spring and fall, some of your favorite artworks come to life at the DMA to solve a murder. It's up to you to discover the room where the murder took place, identify the murder weapon and interview key suspects throughout the Museum. Solve the murder mystery and be entered to win one of five great prizes, including a DMA membership. At 9:30 p.m., the murderer and motive will be unveiled to all, and the winners of the prizes will be announced. Make a night of it with drinks and a bite to eat in our DMA Cafe before the game starts! This event is for ages 16 and up. DMA Members get presale access to tickets. Become a member today for early access.
Brettell Lecture featuring Dr. Kimberly Jones of the National Gallery of Art
Saturday, April 20, 2 p.m.
Free; registration required
Join us for the annual Brettell Lecture with the National Gallery of Art’s Curator of Nineteenth-Century French Paintings, Kimberly Jones, who will speak about the NGA exhibition Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment, opening in September 2024.
Art in Thirty
Fridays, February 16, March 8, April 19 and May 17, noon–12:30 p.m.
Free; no registration required
In a hurry? Art in Thirty.
Pop into the Museum for a 30-minute journey through the DMA’s galleries. Art in Thirty provides free monthly gallery talks led by DMA staff, local scholars or artists, highlighting unique aspects of the DMA’s collection and exhibitions.
FAMILY, YOUTH, AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS
2024 Spring Break Family Fun
Wednesday, March 13–Friday, March 15, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free; registration required
Let your creativity blossom during these fun-filled days of nature-inspired art making, story times and gallery activities, all inspired by our current exhibition The Impressionist Revolution from Monet to Matisse. Spring Break programs are held daily March 13–15. Full schedule to be announced.
Travis Takeover
Friday, April 26, 5–8 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Travis Academy students are taking over the DMA! Enjoy the Museum through kids’ eyes with kid-led tours, drop-in art making, scavenger hunts, performances and more as we highlight students who participate in a yearlong school-Museum partnership with the DMA.
Art Babies
Wriggles & Rhymes
Monday, March 11, 10 am, 11 am and noon
Registration required
Inside & Outside
Mondays, April 15 and May 13, 10 am, 11 am and noon
Registration required
Just for children 0–24 months old and their caregivers. Join us in the galleries for songs and story time, followed by playtime and an opportunity to mingle with other parents and caregivers.
Toddler Art
Rainbows All Around
Selected Wednesdays and Fridays, February 14 and 16, 11 a.m.–noon
Registration required
Bird Watch
Selected Wednesdays and Fridays, March 8, 20 and 22, 11 a.m.–noon
Registration required
Dancing with Degas
Selected Wednesdays and Fridays, April 12, 17 and 19, 11 a.m.–noon
Registration required
In the Jungle
Selected Wednesdays and Fridays, May 10, 15 and 17, 11 a.m.–noon
Registration required
For 2 and 3 year olds and a favorite grown-up. We’ll explore works of art in the galleries and then create our own project or engage in sensory play.
Arturo’s Art & Me
Once Upon a Time
Thursday, March 7 and Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Registration required
Through the Seasons
Thursday, April 11 and Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Registration required
Glamorous Glass
Thursday, May 9, and Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Registration required
For a 3–5 year old and a favorite grown-up. Adults and young children listen to a story, look at works of art and play hands-on games in the Museum galleries before creating an original work of art in the studio.
Wee Wednesdays
Garden Party
Wednesday, May 1, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Wee Wednesdays programming is specifically designed for children ages five and under, but all ages are welcome. Enjoy thematic art-making activities, story times, performances and gallery activities.
Family Workshop
Arranging Nature
Saturday, March 9, 1–2:30 p.m.
Registration required
Dreamscapes
Saturday, April 13, 1–2:30 p.m.
Registration required
DIY with Carolyn Marco
Saturday, May 11, 1–2:30 p.m.
Registration required
For children ages 6–12 and their favorite grown-ups. Explore the galleries, engage in artful conversations and try hands-on games as a family before creating a work of art in the studio.
Collection Highlights Tours
Saturday, February 17, 2–3 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Saturday, March 16, 2–3 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Saturday, April 20, 2–3 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Saturday, May 18, 2–3 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Explore the DMA's four floors of art with a DMA docent and visit some of the highlights of the Museum's global collection. Whether you are an art history buff or this is your first visit, we can't wait to talk about art with you! Tours meet at the Guest Services Desk near the Museum's Main Entrance and are limited to 30 participants. All ages are welcome. To request accessibility accommodations such as ASL interpretation, gallery stools or wheelchairs, please send an email to access@dma.org.
Open Studio
First and third Saturdays and Sundays, noon–4 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Whether you love to draw, paint, sculpt or glue, we've got a project for you! Art projects change each month, offering new inspiration for playing and creating. All materials are provided. The first hour of Open Studio will provide a pleasant sensory environment for art creation, with a focus on offering a calm and relaxing atmosphere for our sensory-sensitive attendees, but all are welcome!
Pop-Up Art Spot
Saturdays, 1–4 p.m.
For a hands-on, minds-on experience, visit the Pop-Up Art Spot for creative activities inspired by nearby works of art.
Autism Acceptance Month
All April
Autism Acceptance Month promotes acceptance, inclusion and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurodiversity, while celebrating the unique strengths and abilities of individuals with autism and advocating for their rights and opportunities. The DMA is committed to fostering an inclusive environment by creating art experiences designed to engage learners regardless of age, background or ability. We are proud to announce that this April, in honor of Autism Acceptance Month, we will expand our program offerings and continue our partnership for Sensory Day celebrations.
Barefoot Day
Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Here’s your chance to visit the Museum barefoot—no shoes required! We’re offering this special sensory experience to show support for the neurodiverse community as part of the Barefoot Autism Challenge, which runs concurrently with Autism Acceptance Month in April each year. Tyler Leech, who created the challenge, explains that autistic people often prefer going barefoot for the natural stimulation, which helps them process information about the environment and feel grounded in their surroundings. The purpose of the challenge is to encourage people of all different personality types to try a barefoot experience, and to advocate for the Autistic community.
Sensory Days
Sensory Day at the Dallas Public Library
Saturday, February 24, 8–10 a.m.
Free; registration required
Visit dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/sensoryday to reserve tickets.
Sensory Day at the Nasher Sculpture Center
Thursday, April 11, 4–6 p.m.
Free; registration required
Visit dma.org to reserve tickets.
Sensory Days are a collaboration between local arts and culture organizations to provide sensory-friendly programming. Families will have the opportunity to explore and engage in fun interactive activities with less noise, crowds and stimulation.
Open Studio Sensory Hour
Saturdays and Sundays, April 6, 7, 20 and 21, noon–1 p.m.
Free; no registration required
Whether you love to draw, paint, sculpt or glue, we've got a project for you! Art projects change each month, offering new inspiration for playing and creating. All materials are provided. The first hour of Open Studio will provide a pleasant sensory environment for art creation, with a focus on offering a calm and relaxing atmosphere for our sensory-sensitive attendees, but all are welcome!
Meaningful Moments
Dates vary by location
Free; registration required
Join us at the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Dallas Museum of Art for Meaningful Moments art workshops. Crafted in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Dallas and Northeast Texas Chapter, this program provides a nurturing environment for individuals in the early- to mid-stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, or memory loss, as well as their care partners. Come and experience a harmonious fusion of social interaction, artistic engagement and mindful activities, guided by our dedicated and trained Museum staff.
Dates and times vary by location. Please contact us at Contact@MeaningfulDFW.org for more information or to register. Note that spaces are limited and if we are not able to accommodate your request, you will be added to a waitlist.