Free admission for Massachusetts residents on January 15

BOSTON (January 3, 2024)—On Monday, January 15, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), and Citizens invite the community to commemorate the life, legacy and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a free open house for Massachusetts residents. Citizens has sponsored the annual celebration for 22 consecutive years—allowing the Museum to welcome more than 120,000 visitors to enjoy free performances, tours, art-making activities and more. The open house will run from 10 am to 5 pm, and free tickets—including access to Fashioned by Sargent— will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We’re honored to open our doors and provide a space for all Bostonians to gather and find inspiration,” said Matthew Teitelbaum, Ann and Graham Gund Director. “We’re incredibly grateful to Citizens for their decades of partnership on this special day for our community.”

“Citizens is proud to continue our ongoing partnership with the MFA to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s lasting legacy,” said Lisa Murray, Citizens Massachusetts President. “Art has the power to transcend, and the Museum’s MLK Day programming is a great way for community members to come together to celebrate and reflect on the many accomplishments during his lifetime.”

Community Art-Making Activity

Ahead of the MLK Day Open House, the MFA will host a special community art-making activity at the Citizens branch on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester. On Saturday, January 13 from 9 am–12 pm, MFA educators will teach visitors to the branch how to create their own wearable headpiece or crown using wire, beads and other embellishments. Art-making kits will also be distributed at the Citizens branches in Roxbury and Mattapan.

Events and Activities

Crown Making

10 am–4 pm (last entry 3:45 pm), Druker Studios, Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art

Create your own wearable headpiece or crown using wire, beads, and other embellishments.

MFA Boston Job Fair

11 am–2 pm, Shapiro Family Courtyard

Learn about engaging, dynamic, and fun career opportunities at the MFA and take part in open interviews for security officer positions. Learn more about job openings at the Museum and how to apply.

Free Guided Tours

11 am, Noon, and 1 pm, Meet at Sharf Visitor Center

Wondering where to start your visit? Experience the Museum on a free 60-minute guided tour. Led by knowledgeable guides, look closely at artwork across the MFA’s collections. Learn more about old favorites and discover something new! Tours are free and no registration required. Participants of all ages and experiences are welcome.

Welcome Remarks

11:15 am, Shapiro Family Courtyard

Hear from Matthew Teitelbaum, Ann and Graham Gund Director, and Lisa Murray, Massachusetts president, Citizens Bank, as they welcome you to the MLK Day Open House.

“Freedom” presented by Boston City Singers

11:45 am, Shapiro Family Courtyard

Boston City Singers presents “Freedom,” a program of spirituals and folk songs celebrating MLK Day 2024. Founded in 1995 in Dorchester to provide outstanding opportunities—musical skills and beyond—for young people ages 4 through high school, Boston City Singers perform music from many ages and cultures while learning the many concepts and skills it takes to be a successful adult. Known for its family atmosphere, the program acknowledges and welcomes diversity of all kinds. The Tour Choir, which has toured globally for the past 16 years, is conducted by Jane Money, founding artistic director, and Kimani Lumsden, world rhythm ensemble director.

Teen Talks

Aesthetics of Freedom

12:30 pm
Gallery 133

MFA Teen Arts Council members Savannah Eutsay, Hannah Mu, and Sophia Shatzky highlight Cotton Eater II by Alison Saar, which examines the aesthetics of freedom.

Chuva Sobre São Paulo (Rain over São Paulo

1 pm
Gallery 335

Teen Arts Council member Sophia Shatzky highlights Chuva Sobre São Paulo (Rain over São Paulo) by Maria Auxiliadora da Silva, which captures the vibrant life of Brazil’s largest city.

Korean Ceramics

1:15 pm
Gallery 179

Teen Arts Council member Hannah Mu highlights Yee Sookyung’s Translated Vase, a sculpture made of discarded ceramic fragments from traditional Korean workshops.

War Memorials

1:30 pm
Gallery 326

Teen Arts Council member Savannah Eutsay highlights Scale Model for Pennsylvania Railroad War Memorial by Walker Hancock.

Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party

2:15 pm
Gallery 148

Teen Arts Council member Hannah Mu highlights images by Stephen Shames that are featured in the exhibition “Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party.”

DJ WhySham

1:30–3:30 pm, Shapiro Family Courtyard

Shapiro Family Courtyard Enjoy music from Dorchester native DJ WhySham, a visionary, activist, traveler, sister, godparent, and Boston’s “community DJ.” She is a four-time nominee for DJ of the Year at the Boston Music Awards and was the only woman nominated for Producer of the Year at the 2021 New England Music Awards. In 2021 she was named to WBUR’s Artery 25 list of artists of color transforming Greater Boston’s cultural landscape. Born and raised in the vibrant city of Boston, DJ WhySham’s early exposure to community service and Boston’s music scene laid the foundation for her eclectic taste and innovative approach to music production.

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $225.3 billion in assets as of September 30, 2023. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,300 ATMs and approximately 1,100 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.

About the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The MFA brings many worlds together through art. Showcasing masterpieces from ancient to modern, our renowned collection of nearly 500,000 works tells a multifaceted story of the human experience—a story that holds unique meaning for everyone. From Boston locals to international travelers, visitors from across the globe come to experience the MFA. Through both art and audience, the Museum brings together diverse perspectives—revealing connections, exploring differences, creating a community where all belong. Plan your visit at mfa.org.