Build Community. Spark Conversation. Inspire Change.
Community Programs
The Dennos presents a dynamic array of programs for all ages that are mission driven and meet community needs. Check out the listings here to find out what's upcoming at your local art museum.
Tour Tuesdays
Tuesdays @ 12pm
Come to the museum and join an informal tour of our current exhibitions with one of our docents. Tours are free with museum admission and will begin at 12:00 PM. Please meet by the front desk a few minutes before the tour begins.
Second Sunday Art Projects
Every Second Sunday of the Month @ 1-3pm
Come to the museum and take part in a vibrant participatory artistic experience every second Sunday of the month! From printmaking to painting and weaving, each session offers a unique and creative activity.
Second Sundays are supported by the Linda O'Meara Fund for Arts Education. Second Sunday Art Projects are included with museum admission. Please pay admission when you arrive.
Celebrate Art and Bilingual StorytellingDiscover a story full of life, history, and wit. This August, join us at the Dennos for a brief lecture, book reading, and pop-up art exhibition celebrating The Most Beautiful Cemetery in the World by Jorge Iván Cevallos (aka "Crazy Horse") of Ecuador. Cevallos is also the curator of the Intercontinental Biennial of Indigenous Art currently on exhibit at The Alluvion through August 20.
Presented in both English and Spanish, this charming tale for all ages follows a spirited community’s quest to inaugurate their new cemetery. Meet the author Jorge Iván Cevallos (aka "Crazy Horse"), and hear him speak about his creative journey, and view a special pop-up exhibit of the book illustrator’s John Carlos Herrera Rodriguez original paintings in the Janis Community Room. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
Simon Anton Artist Talk
Friday, August 28 @ 5-6:30pm
Join us for the opening day of Simon Anton’s Full Circle: Plastic Waste Transformations. Learn more about how he blends sculpture, design, and sustainability in his work.
Limit of 50.
Full Circle Reception
Friday, August 28 @ 6:30-8pm
Join us immediately following Anton’s artist talk for an evening reception with a cash bar. Tickets not required. Unlimited availability.
Silent Disco Dance Party
Friday, August 28 @ 8-11pm
Get ready to boogie to your choice of three DJs under the illuminating glow of a new art installation by Simon Anton in the sculpture court of the Dennos. FREE for NMC Students and museum members. All ages welcome.
The Art of Being Present: A Slow Looking Series
Every Other Wednesday @ 10am
Register with NMC Extended Education
In a world of 8-second scrolls, when was the last time you truly saw something? Join us at The Dennos for a refreshing departure from the rush of daily life. Modern health studies have shown that regular museum engagement acts as a powerful non-pharmacological intervention, lowering anxiety and promoting mental clarity. Each session in this series is a standalone invitation to quiet the noise and dive deep into just two or three select artworks. Through guided "slow looking" techniques with the museum curator, we’ll move past first impressions to discover the hidden narratives, intricate textures, and emotional resonance waiting beneath the surface. No art background is required—just a pair of eyes and a moment of your time.
September 2 | Anatomy of Stillness
September 16 | Spirit & Stone
September 30 | Architecture of Light
October 14 | Mixed Media
October 28 | Micro v. Macro
November 11 | Narrative Silence
Fall Exhibit Reception
Wednesday, September 23 @ 6pm
Join the fun for our fall reception! Doors will open at 5:45pm. Enjoy an evening with light refreshments and a cash bar. Each guest will receive one drink ticket upon arrival.
Members get free admission and double discounts in the Museum Store the night of the event. Guests of members and the public are welcome to attend at the cost of admission.
Please RSVP in advance.
Artists Talk: Material World
Friday, October 2 @ 4pm
Join us at The Dennos for a panel discussion with artists from Material World: Ten Women. We’ll learn more about their artistic practice and gain more insight into the ways their work intersect and differ from one another.
How Do They Do That? Creating Memorable Exhibitions at The Dennos
Wednesday, October 7 @ 10am
Register with NMC Extended Education
What does it take for a museum to create polished museum exhibitions? How does a museum install large artworks, take care of taxidermied polar bears, light exhibitions, and position artwork for the best visitor experience? Join Chelsie Niemi, Audience Engagement Manager at The Dennos, for a guided tour that is guaranteed to leave you thinking about museums in an entirely new way! Bring your questions and some comfortable walking shoes.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day - Community Day
Monday, October 12
Free
Join The Dennos and the Traverse Area District Library for storytime at 11am to kick off a free day of learning, celebration, and community as we honor the vibrant and enduring cultures of indigenous peoples.
Halloween For All
Saturday, October 24 @ 10am-1pm
Join The Dennos, Children’s Therapy Corner, Children’s Advocacy Center, TADL Youth Services, and Oryana for the fourth annual sensory-friendly Halloween event! We will have a variety of fun activities, being mindful of diverse sensory needs and accommodations to create an inclusive environment where all are welcome!
Event support provided by Oryana Community Co-Op and the Linda O'Meara Fund for Arts Education.
Mock Tours at The Dennos: Halloween Edition
Friday, October 30 @ 7 & 9:30pm
Back for a third time, join Full Tilt Comedy and The Dennos for a Halloween-themed improv experience that reimagines the museum through the eyes of ghosts, ghouls, and the hilariously undead. Professional improvisers pose as fictional docents, leading you on a spirited (and entirely made-up) tour of the galleries. Choose from two tour times: 7pm for a post trick-or-treat or 9:30pm for a darker, more mischievous museum romp.
Your ticket includes one drink ticket and spooky snacks.
Holiday Artist Market
Friday & Saturday, November 6-7 @ 10am - 4pm
Free
Get in the holiday spirit during this two-day market featuring over 30 Michigan artists. Enjoy treats from Merlyn's Patisserie, a curated collection of handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and holiday cards in our Museum Store Holiday Corner, and enter the raffle benefiting K-12 tours. Learn more at shop.dennosmuseum.org.
Darryl Brown Artist Talk
Friday, November 13 @ 4pm
Where alchemy meets color, fantastic realities take shape. Join artist Darryl Brown as he transports us into his imaginative world. In this talk, you’ll discover the process behind his rich tapestries, deeply layered paintings, and custom tools that power his unique vision.
Darryl Brown Workshop
Saturday, November 14 @ 1-3pm
Step into the studio with Darryl Brown. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore the intersection of color and texture to bring your own vibrant vision to life. Guided by Darryl’s approach to creative intuition, this workshop is perfect for makers of all skill levels looking to expand their visual language and experiment with new techniques. All materials provided.
Museum Store Sunday - Community Day
Sunday, November 29
Free
Support your local art museum and shop with purpose while enjoying special discounts and treats!
Solstice Silent Disco
Tuesday, December 22 @ 6-9pm
Join us just after sundown and celebrate the longest night of the year! Grab a pair of wireless headphones that give you the option to decide your musical vibe and you head to the dance floor or mingle in the galleries.
Warm drinks and food will be available to keep the solstice spirits bright. Cash bar for those 21+.
This event is open to all ages and sponsored by Oryana Co-Op. Parental guidance is advised.
