Visitors may not realize just how vibrant the arts really are in Denver. The most visible of the local institutions is the Denver Art Museum, with its two enormous wings housing over 300,000 square feet of art. Major exhibitions and events travel through the DAM several times a year, and the museum is extremely family-friendly, offering fun activities for children of all ages. The DAM hosts art talks and lectures on a regular basis, and offers free guided tours. Best of all, admission is free on the first Saturday of every month!
The MCA Denver is located just across downtown, showcasing a variety of contemporary art exhibits and featuring weekly events. Past offerings have included events such as the Underground Cat Showcase: “Curated program of cat home videos. Open mike cat stories. Cat Photo contest. Human cat actor.” Currently exhibiting artists also give talks discussing their work during each new show.
The Museo de las Americas is currently undergoing renovation, but is dedicated to educating the community on Latin American art and culture. It hosts tours and workshops for teachers and schools, in addition to hosting exhibitions of contemporary Latino art. The Museo hosts a variety of free events, and waives admission fees once a month during the Santa Fe Arts District First Friday art walk.
These three museums provide invaluable resources to the Denver community, and they’re just the start – Denver is also host to dozens of galleries and studios. (Julie M. Rodriguez)