The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, unveils in November its spectacular new wing for the Art of the Americas and the soaring glass-enclosed Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Family Courtyard, designed by Foster + Partners (London). Visitors attending the Museum’s opening celebrations will be among the first to see the new spaces and enjoy festivities ranging from a black-tie gala and stylish dance party, to special events for members and free Community Days.
The opening of The New MFA is sponsored by Bank of America, with additional support from media sponsor, The Boston Globe, and event sponsors.
OPENING GALA
Saturday, November 13
MEMBERS’ PREVIEW DAYS AND RECEPTIONS
Sunday, November 14–Friday, November 19
AMERICA REMIXED
Friday, November 19
FREE COMMUNITY DAY
Saturday, November 20
State Street Corporation is the sponsor of an additional Community Day:
FREE COMMUNITY DAY
Wednesday, November 24
Opening Gala
Saturday, November 13
8 p.m.–midnight
An elegant black-tie gala, fashioned by special events planner Bryan Rafanelli of Rafanelli Events, will be the premiere opening event. Tickets are $1,000 per person for this memorable evening featuring a cocktail reception, dinner by the bite, gallery viewing, music, and dancing. Event sponsors of the gala are State Street Corporation and United Technologies Corporation.
Member Preview Days and Receptions
Members will have the opportunity to preview the new wing before it opens to the public. They can order free guest passes (number based on level of membership) in advance by visiting ww./membersroom
or by calling 617.369.3395. The in-kind media sponsor of the MFA's Membership Program is WBUR 90.9 FM. Member preview days are as follows:
Sunday, November 14, noon–8 p.m. (please note extended hours)
Monday, November 15, 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Tuesday, November 16, 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Wednesday, November 17, 10 a.m.–9:45 p.m.
Thursday, November 18, 10 a.m.–9:45 p.m.
Friday, November 19, 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m. (Museum closes early)
Members’ Receptions
Members can celebrate the opening at two receptions, welcomed by Malcolm Rogers, Ann and Graham Gund Director of the Museum. For tickets, please call 617.369.3395.
- Monday, November 15, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Ambassadors (and above)—Tickets are $30 per person
- Tuesday, November 16, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Supporters and Contributors—Tickets are $30 per person
America Remixed
Friday, November 19
8 p.m.–midnight
America Remixed is a lively and creative dance party featuring a musical performance by Grammy-nominated Brazilian Girls, as well as specialty cocktails, savory bites, and sweet treats. It also showcases large-scale projections of 12 local artists’ work created in response to the event. This festive evening highlights the global character and culture of the Boston community reflected in the Art of the Americas collection, and is hosted by Catalyst, an audience development initiative designed to broaden the range of visitors to the Museum. The event is sponsored in part by Staples Inc. and The Boston Foundation, with additional support from The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company.
The two levels of tickets are priced at $75 (Mix Tape Level), and $175 (Gold LP Level—includes open bar until 9 and party swag to go). Guests 21+ may order tickets by visiting , calling 1.800.440.6975, or by visiting any ticket desk at the MFA. For questions, please email Catalyst@mfa.org. A portion of the proceeds from the America Remixed party will support the Heritage Fund for a Diverse Collection—a fund supporting the acquisition of art representing people of color, or art that otherwise broadens the MFA’s Art of the Americas collection.
Free Community Day
Saturday, November 20
10 a.m.–9:45 p.m.
10:30 a.m.—Welcoming Ceremony
11 a.m.—Doors to Art of the Americas Wing open
This all-day community event, sponsored by Bank of America, is one for the history books as it marks the first day that the MFA’s spectacular new wing for the Art of the Americas will be open to the public. Visitors will be admitted free and will be welcomed by Malcolm Rogers, Ann and Graham Gund Director of the MFA, during the opening ceremony, after which the doors to the wing will open. In addition, a variety of special activities for adults and families will be offered, including spotlight tours in the galleries (conducted every half hour), watercolor painting in the art studios, and a kids’ scavenger hunt called “Passport to the Americas.” Musical entertainment will be presented at 6 p.m. in the Shapiro Family Courtyard. Nineteen-year-old cello virtuoso Anthony Rymer and pianist Zenan Yu will perform Astor Piazzolla’s Le Grand Tango. They will be followed by the Hawthorne String Quartet, made up of musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra (Si-Jing Huang and Ronan Lefkowitz, violins; Mark Ludwig, viola; and Sato Knudsen, cello), who will perform music from Charles Ives’s Quartet No. 1, From the Salvation Army; David Post’s Quartet No. 3; and Thomas Oboe Lee’sMorango...Almost a Tango.
Free Community Day
Wednesday, November 24
10 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
A Free Community Day sponsored by State Street Corporation will provide day-long, free access to the Museum. Please note that the MFA closes early this day in anticipation of Thanksgiving. This Community Day will serve as a kick-off to Free Nights at the Museum sponsored by State Street Corporation. During the month of December, the MFA will be free on Wednesday evenings from 4 to 9:45 p.m., courtesy of State Street Corporation.