Thursday, February 11: Please note outdoor activities, including snowshoeing and the film screening, are canceled due to inclement weather. You can still reserve free gallery admission tickets here.
Explore the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in the moonlight!
Venture out to the Walker for some physically distant snowshoe trekking. Back by popular demand, snowshoes will be available for check out at the Esker Grove patio, or you can bring your own! Self-guided tour materials will also be provided. If you prefer some speedy fun, sleds are available for the snowy hillside.
Then, head up to the top of the hill next to the museum and not only will you find yourself looking out onto the best view of the city but you will also catch a glimpse of our winter film series.
Screenings will be projected onto the building. You can reach the viewing area by walking up the hill from Vineland Place or down the hill from Groveland Place. Check with staff at the Main Lobby desk for an accessible route to the viewing area.
Please note, this program is weather permitting and will be canceled if temperatures are projected to be below 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Snowshoe rental is made possible by the University of Minnesota Center for Outdoor Adventure.
Free tickets for gallery admission are available and must be reserved separately. Click here to reserve your free tickets.
Registration
Snowshoe reservations are currently full. A limited number of spots may become available each evening; walk-ups are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check at the Esker Grove patio for snowshoe availability.
Outdoor Film Screenings
Each Thursday a different film from the Ruben/Bentson Moving Image Collection will be screened on repeat against the windows of the Cargill lounge. Plus, you can check out the schedule for online film screenings here.
February 4
Slow Motion (Relentis) by William Klein
Athletes appear onscreen floating through space in slow motion in William Klein’s dreamlike vision of their athletic movements. 1984, 35mm transferred to digital, silent, 20 min.
February 11
Frame Up by Ericka Beckman
Onsite construction for the expansion of the Walker Art Center is reimagined as a video pinball game created during Ericka Beckman’s 2005 artist residency. 2005, digital, 7 min.
February 18
Kiss the Girls: Make them Cry by Dara Birnbaum
A reconstructed Hollywood Squares game show juxtaposes the gestures and sexist stereotypes of women portrayed on television in the 1970s, set to disco hits. 1979, analog video, 7 min.
February 25
Horizontal Boundaries by Pat O’Neill
Split shots of diverse topography juxtapose the unpredictable environments of southern California. 2006, 35mm transferred to digital, 20 min.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your COVID-19 safety precautions?
We request that all guests checking out snowshoes wear masks for the duration of their checkout process. The snowshoe checkout system is staggered to reduce crowds and lines waiting for shoes. Snowshoes will also be sanitized upon return. We request that visitors adhere to signage and physical distancing guidelines provided, including at the firepits provided for warming.
How does sign up work?
For snowshoes, you sign up for your free time slot here. There are sign-up time slots every 15 minutes, with a capacity of ten people per time slot. Snowshoe check out is for 45 minutes, then you just return the snowshoes to the winter patio, warm up by the fire, and you’re all set!
Where do I go to collect snowshoes?
Adjacent to our main entrance on Vineland Place is the Esker Grove patio. If you are facing the Walker on Vineland it is to the right of the building. Snowshoe check will be from the bar area on the patio.
What happens to this event if the museum is not open?
The Walker will be announcing its reopening date shortly, however even if galleries are closed, we will still offer snowshoe rental for outdoor visits to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Restroom access will be available in the P1 corridor.
Are there tours this year?
Due to COVID-19, we will not have group tours. However, we will have options for self-guided tours with lights to show you the way.
Can I bring my own snowshoes?
Yes! Bring any winter item you’d like to use to get through the snow. Sleds are also welcome! Extra points for dog sleds.
What about gallery admission?
Ticket reservations are required, even for Target Free Thursday Nights. Tickets are still free, but you need to reserve your timeslot in advance. This helps us ensure there is a safe number of people in the building at any given time.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! If your dog is leashed, you are more than welcome to bring your furry friend!
