Curators Circles: Musical Instruments

The MFA is home to more than 1,200 instruments, including rare examples from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. An integral part of the MFA’s collection for 100 years, instruments have played an essential role in the Museum’s exhibitions, publications, and musical programming. Join noted authorities and talented musicians to learn about instruments from across history and around the world through exclusive live performances, conversations, and close viewing of our instruments.

Annual membership is $1,500.*

For more information about this Curators Circle's programming, please contact Nate Steele, program associate, Musical Instruments, at [email protected]

Join this Curators Circle

*$100 per person is not tax deductible.
Dates, times, and events are subject to change.

Past Events

An Evening with Jeffrey Gibson

Tuesday, April 15, 2025
6:00 pm–9:00 pm
In Person

Reception: Art in Tune

Thursday, February 27, 2025
7:00 pm–9:00 pm

You Are Instrumental!

Friday, November 22, 2024
6:00 pm–8:00 pm

Behind the Scenes of “Hallyu!: The Korean Wave”

Friday, April 5, 2024
6:00 pm–8:00 pm
In Person

Music from the Age of Rembrandt

Saturday, October 14, 2023
2:00 pm–3:30 pm
In Person

The Music of the Kora

Thursday, May 4, 2023
6:00 pm–8:00 pm

In-Person Event

In Person

Smuggled, Stolen, and Sold: Art Restitution in the 21st Century

Tuesday, January 24, 2023
6:00 pm–7:00 pm

Online event for all Curators Circles

Online

Musical Arts and Sufi Islam

Tuesday, November 15, 2022
6:00 pm–8:00 pm

In-Person Event

In Person

The Guitar in Impressionist Paris

Thursday, September 15, 2022
3:00 pm–5:00 pm

In-Person Event

In Person

The Evolution of Jazz

Monday, September 12, 2022
3:30 pm–5:00 pm

In-Person Event

In Person

Art and Music in the 17th-Century Low Countries

Saturday, June 4, 2022
2:00 pm–4:00 pm

In-Person Event

In Person

Lutherie in 19th-Century New England

Friday, May 20, 2022
6:00 pm–8:00 pm

In-Person Event

In Person

Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix

Monday, December 13, 2021
12:00 pm–1:00 pm

Online Event

Online

“Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?”: A Reflection on Linda Nochlin’s Groundbreaking Essay

Wednesday, October 13, 2021
6:00 pm–7:00 pm

An Evening for all Curators Circles

Online Event

Online

Visit with Balla Kouyaté

Wednesday, October 6, 2021
6:00 pm–7:00 pm

Online Event

Online

Collectors, Donors, and Histories behind the Musical Instrument Collection

Monday, May 10, 2021
6:00 pm–7:00 pm

Online Event

Online

Virtual Trip: Experience the National Music Museum

Thursday, April 29, 2021
5:30 pm–6:30 pm

Online Event

Online

Sight and Sound: Musical Instruments and the Visual Arts

Tuesday, January 12, 2021
6:00 pm–7:00 pm

Online Event

Online

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Take part in a year of collection-focused programming with curators and experts.

Join This Curators Circle