FREE THURSDAY NIGHTS
Explore the latest exhibitions, grab a drink, get creative, and enjoy special programming at the Walker’s Free Thursday Nights. Public tours are offered at 6 pm weekly. The Walker’s library is open to the public during Free Thursday Nights from September-May, and the Museum Shop, Idea House 3, and Cardamom are also open late.
Gallery admission is free on Thursday nights, 5–9 pm. Save time and reserve your gallery admission tickets online. Please note: Individual events during Free Thursday Nights are first-come, first-served.
Art & Sound Lounge, Vol. 1
Thursday, April 3, 5–8 pm
Join us for the first night of Art & Sound Lounge, a three week series when the Walker transforms into a moody listening salon complete with cocktails and art activities. Guest artist Andy Jacobs and DJ Maracuya collaborate on this premier event.
Instructions for the night’s featured craft will be available in English and Spanish. Materials are free and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited. No prior registration is required.
Art & Sound Lounge, Vol. 2
Thursday, April 10, 5–8 pm
Join us for an evening of music, drinks, and art-making at the Walker. Guest artist Alexandra Beaumont and DJ Sasha Bangz pair up for a lively workshop.
Instructions for the night’s featured craft will be available in English and Spanish. Materials are provided and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited. No prior registration is required.
Art & Sound Lounge, Vinyl Edition
Thursday, April 17, 5–8 pm
Record collectors and music enthusiasts are invited to begin early celebrations of Record Store Day with the final installment of Art & Sound Lounge: Vinyl Edition, when the Walker is transformed into a moody listening salon complete with cocktails and art activities.
Local vinyl DJs, including DJ Justis Brokenrope of Wathéča Records and others, play eclectic sets while you design your own album artwork. Listening stations will be set up to tune into a small collection of records.
FREE THURSDAY NIGHTS: ART CLUB
Join us for Art Club, a standing invitation to explore and create across our campus. Stop by the Art Lab for drop-in artmaking with Walker educators. Every week is a chance to experiment with a new medium, idea, or muse.
Materials are provided and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited. Activity instructions, available in English and Spanish, are designed for all ages. No prior registration is required for Art Club. The more you visit, the more you’ll discover.
Art Club: Woven Textiles with Andy Jacobs
Thursday, April 3, 5–8 pm
Stop by for a hands-on, wet-felting workshop with guest artist Andy Jacobs in the Cargill Lounge. Beginners and experienced crafters welcome. Presented in connection with Art & Sound Lounge, Vol. 1.
Art Club: Textile Adornment with Alexandra Beaumont
Thursday, April 10, 5–8 pm
Stop by for a hands-on, textile-based workshop with guest artist Alexandra Beaumont in the Cargill Lounge. Beginners and experienced crafters welcome. Presented in connection with Art & Sound Lounge, Vol. 2.
Art Club: Album Cover Designs
Thursday, April 17, 5–8 pm
In celebration of Record Store Day and a resurgence of vinyl collectors, customize your own record sleeve. Make a DIY album cover for yourself, your band, or your rockstar alter ego.
Art Club: Collage
Thursday, April 24, 5–8 pm
The Walker’s new survey exhibition, Kandis Williams: A Surface, inspires Open Studio this month with collage artmaking. From bookmarks, to zines, mood boards and more, collage is the foundation for many projects—bring your own work or start something new.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING
Free First Saturday: Earth Elements
Saturday, April 5, 10 am–3 pm
Let your imagination flourish as we thank the earth for its many inspirations. Engage with local artists at this special Free First Saturday as we explore art projects that celebrate natural materials.
Free First Saturday features free gallery admission on the first Saturday of every month. Gallery admission tickets are available online in advance and on-site on the event day from the Main Lobby desk. Free admission 10 am–5 pm; activities 10 am–3 pm.
Sensory Friendly Sunday April 2025
Sunday, April 13, 8–11 am
Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory-processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities.
The galleries will be closed to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. Experience a selection of current exhibitions, make art, or watch a short film. All friends and family members are welcome.
To support the health and safety of visitors at increased risk for Covid-19, masks are required at Sensory Friendly Sunday for visitors over age 2. Accommodations are available if someone in your party is unable to tolerate masking. Please email access@walkerart.org or call 612-375-7561 for more information.
This program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and the University of Minnesota’s Occupational Therapy Program.
FREE THURSDAY NIGHTS ARE SPONSORED BY
FREE FIRST SATURDAY IS SPONSORED BY
SENSORY FRIENDLY SUNDAY IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES.
FAMILY PROGRAMS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE KHR MCNEELY FAMILY FOUNDATION, THANKS TO KEVIN, ROSEMARY, AND HANNAH ROSE MCNEELY.
EDUCATION AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS ARE SUPPORTED THE PATRICK AND AIMEE BUTLER FAMILY FOUNDATION AND SUSAN AND ROB WHITE.