Adult Programs

The Demo Artist program at the Denver Art Museum connects visitors with an artist from the local Denver community. On Studio Saturdays, an artist will set up their practice in the Studio (level 1 of the Hamilton Building) to demonstrate their own unique artistic process and inspire visitors to explore their own creativity through guided hands-on activities.

These demos take place from 12 pm to 3 pm on Saturdays throughout the year. Find an upcoming demo by browsing our online calendar.

Mindful Looking at the Denver Art Museum invites you to slow down and spend time with a single work of art. Led by educator Molly Medakovich, participants will discover overlooked details, pose questions, and explore ideas as the group lingers, looks, and connects with art and each other.

Mindful Looking takes place on the third Tuesday of the month. Entry is included with general admission, which is always free for members. Learn more.

Mindful Looking Online, a virtual-only series, takes place once a quarter. All are welcome to join from home for free. Learn more.

Untitled: Artist Takeover at the Denver Art Museum is a quarterly after-hours event full of dynamic and one-of-a-kind experiences, including live music and performances, pop-up art installations, collaborative artmaking, and much more. Each event is curated by featured artists from the broader Denver community, with the assistance of a cast of contributing creatives.

Entry is included with general admission, which is always free for members. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door upon arrival. Learn more.

Drop-In Drawing at the Denver Art Museum invites participants to immerse themselves and take inspiration from artworks in the museum's collection, with supportive feedback from artist Anna Kaye. These in-person drawing sessions are designed for older adults but are welcoming for all ages and abilities.

Drop-In Drawing takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. Drawing materials are provided. Entry is included with general admission, which is always free for members. Learn more.

Tours led by specially trained Denver Art Museum docents are regularly offered in the galleries, exhibitions, and around campus. To join a tour, review the tour schedule and look for the docent wearing a rainbow lanyard at the meeting location just before the scheduled start time.

If you are visiting with a group larger than 10, consider booking a group tour. Access tours for visitors with disabilities are also available upon request.

Wine Pairing Dinners are held quarterly at The Ponti, a fine dining restaurant located in the Martin Building. Chefs at The Ponti prepare a special four-course dinner for the evening, complete with unique wine selections explained in detail each course.

Reservations are required to attend. Members of the museum receive a discount (and always enjoy 10% off at The Ponti with proof of membership). Learn more.

The Anderman Photography Lecture Series at the Denver Art Museum presents talks with preeminent creators and thinkers in contemporary photography, in conversation with curators and art professionals. Organized by the Photography department, the series is made possible through the generous support of Evan and Elizabeth Anderman.

These talks are ticketed but are always free for high school and college students (with valid ID). Learn more.

The Denver Art Museum regularly hosts two course series, in the spring and fall. These courses consist of four linked talks about a topic relevant to a current exhibition or a popular topic in art history or contemporary art.

Spring Course: Why Do We Art? is a multi-session art appreciation course that focuses on the Denver Art Museum's collections to ask universal questions about the meaning, making, and experience of art across time and place. Each course session includes optional preparatory readings and videos, interactive presentations and group discussions, dedicated close looking time in the galleries, and a hands-on element.

Fall Course: The fall course features a collection of lecture programs inspired by select beacon exhibitions. Led by scholars and other content experts, presentations expand on exhibition artists, artworks, and themes.

The Logan Lecture Series at the Denver Art Museum presents talks with preeminent contemporary artists, in conversation with curators and art professionals. Organized by the Modern and Contemporary Art department, the series is made possible through the generous support of Vicki and Kent Logan.

These talks are ticketed but are always free for high school and college students (with valid ID). Learn more.

Several departments at the Denver Art Museum organize symposia series, inviting renowned scholars, curators, and professionals to discuss a variety of topical subjects to the art and museum industries.

These symposia are held on site at the Denver Art Museum but are also livestreamed online for those who can't attend in person. Currently, the following departments organize annual, biannual, or triannual symposia:

• Arts of Asia
• The Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion
• Indigenous Arts of North America
• The Mayer Center for Ancient and Latin American Art
• The Petrie Institute of Western American Art