Offerings this fall include expanded educator workshops and panel discussion on museum careers

In a special offer to University Members this fall, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), is offering students, faculty and staff of participating institutions complimentary individual tickets to visit Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories during regular Museum hours on October 22, November 19 and December 10. Tickets can be accessed exclusively in person on the day of visit by presenting a valid ID at the ticket desk; group visits cannot be accommodated at this time. Opening October 10, Fabric of a Nation showcases 50 remarkable works dating from the 17th century to the present day that reveal a rich—and richly complicated—story of the nation’s shared history, contributing to the evolving conversation about what defines the American experience.

With more than 45 participating institutions, the MFA’s University Membership Program offers the college community unique opportunities to learn from artworks that span a range of cultures and time periods—from ancient to contemporary. On view now and included with general admission, New Light: Encounters and Connections (through February 6, 2022) juxtaposes contemporary works—many by emerging as well as local or Boston-born artists—with rarely seen objects acquired earlier in the Museum’s history. Also included with general admission, Paper Stories, Layered Dreams: The Art of Ekua Holmes (through January 23, 2022) focuses on the Roxbury artist’s award-winning children’s book illustrations that reflect her distinctive vision and commitment to Black imagery and representation. Additional information about ticketing, exhibitions on view and more is available on mfa.org/visit.

While the MFA is not offering group visits this fall, the Museum is constantly developing new offerings and resources for educators and students to engage with its global collection:

• For students or faculty interesting in learning about careers in the museum field, a virtual panel discussion on October 22 engages MFA staff from the Conservation and Collections Management division to explore this area of museum work. Attendees will also hear from former Conservation interns and learn more about the MFA’s new state-of-the art Conservation Center. Free tickets are now available to reserve.
• Through a number of online Educator Workshops this fall, faculty can explore how to use objects and exhibitions in their teaching while connecting with curators and artists. Attendees can gain new perspectives through close consideration of quilts featured in Fabric of a Nation, dive deep into the work of Ekua Holmes with the artist herself, and consider the process of exhibition development, drawing on New Light: Encounters and Connections as an example. Visit mfa.org for information on upcoming workshops and how to reserve free tickets.
• Newly launched on mfa.org, “A College Student’s Guide to the MFA” details everything students need to know about navigating the Museum and its collections, locating resources for research and more.

About the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Founded on February 4, 1870, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), stands on the historic homelands of the Massachusett people, a site which has long served as a place of meeting and exchange among different nations. The Museum opened its doors to the public on July 4, 1876—the nation’s centennial—at its original location in Copley Square. Over the next several decades, the MFA’s collection and visitation grew exponentially, and in 1909, the Museum moved to its current home on Huntington Avenue. Today, the MFA houses a global collection encompassing nearly 500,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary.

The Museum is located at 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. For more information, call 617.267.9300, visit mfa.org or follow the MFA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.