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Upcoming Events

5:00pm–7:00pm Albany Institute of History & Art holds extended hours for the city of Albany's popular First Friday program! Enjoy free gallery admission to visit our current exhibitions: On the Road to Cragsmoor with Charles Courtney Curran, Americans Who Tell the Truth, and Portrait Pairings. The May First Friday features music by DJ Sam and a pop-up by our friends at The Larkin Hi-Fi, who will be serving a selection of natural wines, local beers, and a cocktail (and mocktail) special. After the museum closes, First Friday continues at The Larkin Hi-Fi right around the corner! In addition, Albany Institute is hosting a Floral Design Workshop led by Pepper Floral.  

This weekend, Bank of America cardholders receive free museum admission! Visit our special exhibitions On the Road to Cragsmoor with Charles Courtney Curran, Americans Who Tell the Truth, and Portrait Pairings, and selections from our permanent collection. For the past 25 years, Bank of America has offered cardholders free general admission during the first full weekend of every month to more than 225 cultural institutions in cities across the United States via the Museums on Us initiative. Museums on Us is available to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit cardholders.

11:00am–11:45am Enrich your experience of our current exhibitions through a docent-led tour of the galleries. Docent tours are an excellent way to learn more about the artworks and objects on display, in addition to the stories they tell. Interaction and questions are encouraged, and visitors of all ages are welcome. The tour is free with museum admission, no registration required. Please plan to meet in the museum atrium, main level, near the front desk before the tour begins.

12:00pm–4:00pm Drop-in art-making in the classroom Enjoy your visit to the museum, and explore your artistic side with an art project inspired by the museum's exhibitions and collections. Museum patrons may enjoy drop-in art-making on select Saturdays of each month. Activities are offered from September 2024–May 2025. The program is free with museum admission; no registration required. All ages are welcome to participate.

This weekend, Bank of America cardholders receive free museum admission! Visit our special exhibitions On the Road to Cragsmoor with Charles Courtney Curran, Americans Who Tell the Truth, and Portrait Pairings, and selections from our permanent collection. For the past 25 years, Bank of America has offered cardholders free general admission during the first full weekend of every month to more than 225 cultural institutions in cities across the United States via the Museums on Us initiative. Museums on Us is available to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit cardholders.

11:00am–12:00pm Learn more about the artist and subjects featured in Albany Institute of History & Art's exhibition Americans Who Tell the Truth. Truth Tellers is an award-winning documentary film about artist and activist Robert Shetterly, who has painted over 275 portraits of Americans throughout history and the present. From the fight to remove symbols of hate to sustainability and climate activism, and from whistleblowing to the rights of indigenous people, Shetterly uses his art to explore these activists’ response to some of the most pressing issues of our time. From contemporary activist for racial justice Rev. Lennox Yearwood, to climate activist Kelsey Juliana, Shetterly puts them in the context of significant American civil rights leaders John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer and Bayard Rustin. Truth Tellers is both a story of Shetterly’s art and activism and a lesson of courageous citizenship and democratic ideals. The screening is free with museum admission. Please note: doors will open at 10:30AM; galleries remain closed until standard opening at 12PM. Run time: 57 minutes 54 seconds  

2:00pm–3:00pm Enrich your experience of our current exhibitions through an insightful docent-led tour of the galleries. Docent tours are an excellent way to learn more about the artworks and objects on display, in addition to the stories they tell. Interaction and questions are encouraged, and visitors of all ages are welcome. The tour is free with museum admission, no registration required. Please plan to meet in the museum atrium, main level, near the admission desk before the tour begins.

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