FREE THURSDAY NIGHTS
Free Thursday Nights
Thursdays, June 6–August 28, 5–9 pm
Walker Art Center
Enjoy free admission every Thursday night during extended gallery hours. Discover current exhibitions, join a free tour, drop in for art activities, or catch a short film of your choice in the Bentson Mediatheque. Our shops stay open late, and food and drinks are available at Cardamom.
Thursday, June 12
The Social Soundtrack: Part 1
Wurtele Upper Garden, 6–9 pm
Music activates the hillside in this new Summer Social music series. Curated by Twin Cities producer M Jamison, who works at the intersection of sound and experience, both of this summer’s Social Soundtrack evenings offer an exciting roster of performers. Gather on the hillside for an evening of mellow tunes from local musicians. Enjoy curated picnic snacks and libations from Cardamom, available for purchase on the hillside. Menus available upon request.
Thursday, June 19
The Cookout: Joy as a Catalyst for Connection
Wurtele Upper Garden, 5–9 pm
This Juneteenth, hold space for communal joy while embracing new lighthearted methods for navigating stress, creative blocks, mental health, and more. Join us for The Cookout: Joy as a Catalyst for Connection, which brings local Black practitioners and performers to the hillside for a night of artmaking, wellness workshops, and music. Prioritize your happiness and mental well-being and connect with a community of BIPOC folx on a journey from surviving to thriving.
Enjoy curated picnic snacks and libations from Cardamom, available for purchase on the hillside. Menus available upon request.
Rooftop Comedy with FAWK
Walker Art Center, 6–9 pm
Join us for an evening of standup comedy on the Walker’s terraces with the Funny Asian Women Kollective (FAWK).
Known for their bold humor and unapologetic storytelling, FAWK brings together a powerhouse lineup of femme comedians for a night of sharp wit and big laughs. From the current political climate to dating hell, FAWK artists will cover…most of it. What can you expect? FAWK’s inappropriate brand of comedic storytelling, trivia, and the screening of comedic sketches produced by the collective. This event is appropriate for mature audiences. Overlook the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with sunset views while you enjoy a cash bar, casual artmaking, and hilarious sets that celebrate identity, resilience, and the medicine of laughter.
Thursday, June 26
Green Roof Poetry, Body
Wurtele Upper Garden, 6–8 pm
Bring your blanket and relax for an evening of immersive lit experiences. Hear live readings from local writers and poets exploring the thematic threads of bodies, connection, and autonomy, plus music stylings by local DJs.
During the event, visitors can board the Body Freedom for Every(Body) Truck, an exhibition on wheels celebrating the intersections of the bodily autonomy. The truck has traveled over 10,000 miles around the U.S. and will be making its Twin Cities stop at the Walker. With over 200 artworks on board, this campaign addresses the importance of agency, autonomy, and choice when it comes to healthcare and individual identity, and sheds light on reproductive justice, queer liberation, and trans joy.
Enjoy curated picnic snacks and libations from Cardamom, available for purchase on the hillside. Menus available upon request.
Thursday, July 10
The Social Soundtrack: Part 2
Wurtele Upper Garden, 6–9 pm
Music activates the hillside in this new Summer Social music series. Curated by Twin Cities producer M Jamison, who works at the intersection of sound and experience, both of this summer’s Social Soundtrack evenings offer an exciting roster of performers. Gather on the hillside for an evening of mellow tunes from local musicians. Enjoy curated picnic snacks and libations from Cardamom, available for purchase on the hillside. Menus available upon request.
Thursday, July 17
Artropolis Symposium: Tangential Futures & Emerging Crossroads
Walker Art Center, 5–9 pm
Step into the world of Artropolis, a two-part artist symposium at the Walker Art Center, where art is not just seen but experienced, boundaries dissolve, and new futures take shape. Over two nights in July and September, this symposium is a convergence of artistic minds—filmmakers, visual artists, musicians, and thought leaders—who dare to reimagine the urban landscape as a living, breathing canvas and celebrate our city’s unique art scene.
From immersive screenings and panel discussions to interactive installations and sonic landscapes, Artropolis transforms space into an incubator for radical ideas and collaboration. With programming developed by local Black and BIPOC collective The Guild, it is an invitation to witness artistic experimentation in real time, to engage in conversations that challenge conventions, and to imagine new ways of being together.
Thursday, July 24
Art Club: Summer Edition
Wurtele Upper Garden, 5–8 pm
Gather on the hillside for a relaxing evening of creative, hands-on workshops designed and led by the Walker’s team of talented educators, showcasing their skills and artistic practices and mediums. The mellow evening includes jukebox-style music with a community playlist visitors can contribute to.
Activities are designed for all ages. Materials are provided and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited. No prior registration is required.
Thursday, July 31
Artropolis Symposium: Part 2
Wurtele Upper Garden, 5–9 pm
Step into the world of Artropolis, a two-part artist symposium at the Walker Art Center, where art is not just seen but experienced, boundaries dissolve, and new futures take shape. Over two nights in July and September, this symposium is a convergence of artistic minds—filmmakers, visual artists, musicians, and thought leaders—who dare to reimagine the urban landscape as a living, breathing canvas and celebrate our city’s unique art scene.
From immersive screenings and panel discussions to interactive installations and sonic landscapes, Artropolis transforms space into an incubator for radical ideas and collaboration. With programming developed by local Black and BIPOC collective The Guild, it is an invitation to witness artistic experimentation in real time, to engage in conversations that challenge conventions, and to imagine new ways of being together.
Thursday, August 21
Green Roof Poetry, Nature
Wurtele Upper Garden, 6–8 pm
Bring your blanket and relax during an evening of immersive literary experiences. Hear live readings from local writers and poets exploring the thematic threads of home, place, and the world around us, plus music stylings by local DJs. This iteration of Green Roof Poetry is curated by poet Moheb Soliman.
FREE FIRST SATURDAY
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.
Free First Saturday: Summertime Sounds
Saturday, June 7, 10 am– 3 pm
Walker Art Center
Summertime just sounds different. Whether it’s birds singing at dawn, crickets at dusk, or tunes in the sunshine, these warmer months bring out beautiful music. Join us as we celebrate the sounds of summer through music, movement, and art-making.
Free First Saturday: Building Our Community
Saturday, July 5, 10 am–3 pm
Walker Art Center
What does being in community feel like? Connect, collaborate, and celebrate summer as we build community together on this Free First Saturday at the Walker.
Free First Saturday: Pollinator Power
Saturday, August 2, 10 am–3 pm
Walker Art Center
Flowers are in bloom and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a-flutter with pollinators. Join us as we thank our fellow friends-of-flowers through song, movement, and art-making in the Garden.
SENSORY FRIENDLY SUNDAY
Sensory Friendly Sunday
Sunday, June 8, July 13, August 10, 8–11 am
Walker Art Center
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.
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Fridays, June 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25; August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Friday Art-making in the Garden Summer 2025
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 10 am–1 pm
Visit the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on Fridays throughout the summer for drop-in art-making activities designed for ages 4 and up. With all art supplies provided and a new project each week, Friday Art-making in the Garden gives anyone the chance to come together to explore art and their own creativity.
Activities take place from 10 am to 1 pm. No prior registration is required. Activity instructions are available in English and Spanish.
Heads up: There will be no Art-making in the Garden on Friday, July 4.
Look for Walker educators stationed in the Garden. Signs will point you in the right direction. Materials will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited.
Friday Art-making may be canceled or have a delayed start or early ending in case of rain or inclement weather. Call 612-375-7600 or email info@walkerart.org for weather updates.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is wheelchair accessible. Some activities may take place on grass and gravel surfaces.
Friday, June 20
Teen Media Workshop with SPNN
Art Lab, 12–4 pm
From podcasts to photographs, media offers many ways to investigate and share stories. What stories do you hold? Explore and share them at a teen workshop co-hosted by Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN).
Stop by the Art Lab anytime between noon and 4 pm to try out storytelling through photo-based art and audio recording. Then explore artwork on view in the galleries. Free, no registration required.
Visit our Teen Programs page, follow @walkerteens on Instagram, or email teenprograms@walkerart.org for more info.
Teens will be experimenting with photography and audio recording as part of this workshop. By attending, teens may appear in their own or others’ projects.
Thursday, August 14
Sound for Silents 2025: Film + Music on the Walker Hillside
Wurtele Upper Garden, 7 pm
Pairing films with live commissioned music, Sound for Silents is a free annual outdoor summer send-off on the Walker hillside. Filmmaker/musician Philip Harder (Prince’s “Cinnamon Girl,” Cue the Strings—a film about Low) collaborates with roots country singer/songwriter Matt Arthur and his ensemble for an inspired evening of commissioned live music paired with films from the Walker’s Ruben/Bentson Moving Image Collection and beyond.
Saturday, August 16
Middle School Movie Club: Summer 2025
Walker Cinema, 12–4 pm
Middle schoolers, you’re invited to the Walker for a movie day, art-museum style! You can make art, hang out, visit the galleries, and watch a specially selected movie on the Walker Cinema’s big screen—all for free.
The film screening begins at 1 pm with drop-in art-making offered from noon to 4 pm. Registration is available online and limited walk-up tickets will be available on the event day at the Main Lobby Desk. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Caregivers and family are welcome to tag along to activities or check out the galleries during the event. Don’t worry, friends and family of middle schoolers receive free admission, too!
Program support for the Green Roof Poetry program is provided by Rehael Fund – Nor Hall and Roger Hale of The Minneapolis Foundation.
Free Thursday Nights are sponsored by
Free First Saturday is sponsored by
Family programs are supported by the KHR McNeely Family Foundation, thanks to Kevin, Rosemary, and Hannah Rose McNeely.
Education and Public Programs are supported by the Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation and Susan and Rob White.