Community Programs
The Dennos Museum Center presents a variety of programs for all ages, seeking to build community, spark conversation, and inspire change. Check out the listings here to find out what's happening.
DROP-IN TOURS
Tuesdays | 12:00 PM
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.
AI IN THE PREHISTORIC GREAT LAKES
Thursday, May 15th | 7:00 PM
Tickets: $15 | Please RSVP in Advance
GET TICKETS
In 2013, scientists from Michigan and Wisconsin used virtual reality to discover an ancient hunting site in the Great Lakes. Join us with Interlochen Public Radio and meet the scientists, visit the virtual prehistoric world they made, and see the AI caribou that roam there.
Artists Talk: Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibition
Sunday, May 25th | 2:00 - 3:45 PM
Tickets: $0 - $10 | GET TICKETS
Learn more from the region's artists in the Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibition. Each artist will present for about 15 minutes on their work in the exhibition and their artistic practice.
Tickets cover admission to the museum. You do not need to pay upon arrival, but please check in at the front desk.
May 25th Artists
Birgit Zipser, Kurt Bullock, Justin Shull, Bradford Sprouse, Scott Rice, and Nekisia Davis.
PAST PROGRAMS
SKY INTO STONE: SIGHTS & SOUNDS
To celebrate the closing of Sky Into Stone, exhibiting artist Katrina Bello and sound artist Jonathan Harris will host an artist talk and immersive listening experience based on sound recordings that span nearly 250 miles on (and off) the coast of Lake Michigan. Harris’ multichannel composition uses hydrophonic and atmospheric recordings of the lake’s environmental sounds to explore the interplay between connection and separation in our experience of nature, examining how this complex dynamic parallels the tension between consciousness and embodiment.
In an artist talk, Bello will discuss her work on view in her solo exhibition and how her Tusen Takk residency–heavily informed by the sounds of nearby Lake Michigan–impacted not only her practice but also her bodily experience.
SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECTS
Sunday, January 12th | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Come to the museum and take part in a vibrant participatory artistic experience every second Sunday of the month! From flower arranging and printmaking to painting and weaving, each session offers a unique and creative activity.
EMBRACE THE DREAM FREE DAY // MLK DAY
Monday, January 20th | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Lecture | 2:00 PM
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with us and kick off the Embrace the Dream programming with free admission to the museum! The 2025 Marching for Justice exhibit, celebrating the 30th anniversaries of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum and the Million Man March will be on view in the museum's sculpture court from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. This extraordinary exhibit showcases over 150 original artifacts, highlighting pivotal moments in Black history—from the Transatlantic Slave Trade to contemporary social justice movements. With founder, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, explore the stories of resilience, unity, and collective action that continue to inspire change during his lecture at 2:00 PM.
Find all the Embrace the Dream programs at: https://www.nmc.edu/embrace-the-dream/
WINTER 2025 OPENING RECEPTION
Friday, January 24th | 6:00 PM
Award Ceremony | 5:00 PM
Join us for the Winter 2025 Opening Reception celebrating regional talent! Meet the artists featured in the Northwest Regional Juried Exhibition and enjoy drinks and hearty hors d'oeuvres. Arrive by 5:00 PM to attend the award ceremony in Milliken Auditorium. The reception will begin after the awards at 6:00 PM.
SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECTS
Sunday, February 9th | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Come to the museum and take part in a vibrant participatory artistic experience every second Sunday of the month! From flower arranging and printmaking to painting and weaving, each session offers a unique and creative activity.
HEARTS FOR ART
February 7th - 14th
Show some love to your favorite artwork at the museum and celebrate Hearts for Art with us!
Pick up a heart at the front desk, leave it on the floor in front of the artwork (please don't place hearts in the frames or on pedestals), and share your favorites with us online.
You can find us on Facebook, and Instagram @dennosmuseumcenter.
ART OF LOVE: MOCK TOURS AT DMC
Friday, February 14th | 7:00 PM
Join Full Tilt Comedy as they guide you through an unforgettable (and completely fictional) tour of the museum paired with your choice of specially crafted mocktail or bubbly from Mawby Vineyards! Perfect for couples, friends, or solo adventurers, this light-hearted night of art and laughter is bound to leave you seeing love—and the museum—in a whole new way.
THE GREAT MC: HEROIC, YET HEARTFELT PLAY FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES
Saturday, March 8th | 11:00 AM
Tickets: Free | Please RSVP in Advance
This performance is part of Interlochen's Accessibility Series.
Don your super suit, grab your favorite gadgets, and join the Interlochen Arts Academy Theatre Division for the action-packed premiere of a new work from accomplished playwright Sue Pak. Commissioned by Interlochen as part of the Theatre for Young Audiences BIPOC Superhero Project and developed during a one-week on-campus residency, The Great MC introduces a new hero of color to the pantheon of caped crusaders.
The accommodations available at this performance include:
Sensory/fidget devices*
Noise/Light sensitivity accommodations*
House lights lowered down to 50%
Barrier Free Entrance
ASL Interpretation
Ability to enter/exit the event as needed
Safe Space to enter and continuously watch/listen to the show with monitor and speaker access with sensory toys and activities
Social Story
Large Print Programs
T-Coil Loop
Wheelchairs*
Wheelchair accessible seating
*If you need a specific accommodation for this performance or would like to request a wheelchair, sensory/fidget device, please email us at dmc@nmc.edu or call 231-995-1055.
SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECTS
Sunday, March 9th | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
3d paper sculptures with artist Dorothy Anderson Grow
Come to the museum and take part in a vibrant participatory artistic experience every second Sunday of the month! From flower arranging and printmaking to painting and weaving, each session offers a unique and creative activity.
Spring Break at the Museum
March 21st - 30th
Visit the museum for a Spring Break adventure for the whole family. Kids are free this week with accompanying adults.* A new scavenger hunt will be available at the front desk. Turn it in to receive a prize!
*All children under 15 must be accompanied by at least one adult.
Artists Talk: Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibition
Thursday, April 3rd | 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Tickets: $0 - $10 |
Learn more from the region's artists in the Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibition. Each artist will present for about 15 minutes on their work in the exhibition and their artistic practice.
Tickets cover admission to the museum. You do not need to pay upon arrival, but please check in at the front desk.
April 3rd Artists
Mary Fortuna, James Thatcher, Mercedes Bowyer, and Dorothy Anderson Grow
Artists Talk: Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibition
Saturday, April 5th | 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Learn more from the region's artists in the Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibition. Each artist will present for about 15 minutes on their work in the exhibition and their artistic practice.
Tickets cover admission to the museum. You do not need to pay upon arrival, but please check in at the front desk.
April 5th Artists
Ellie Harold, Nancy McRay, Carrie Betlyn-Eder, Sally Rose, and Sherry McNamara
SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECTS
Sunday, April 13th | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Felt creatures and creations inspired by spring with artist Mary Fortuna
Come to the museum and take part in a vibrant participatory artistic experience every second Sunday of the month! From flower arranging and printmaking to painting and weaving, each session offers a unique and creative activity.
This month's Second Sunday Art Project is made possible in part with support from the Linda O'Meara Fund for Arts Education and the Michigan League of Handweavers.
DMC DANCE PARTY: FUNK EDITION
Wednesday, April 16th | 6:00 PM
Tickets: Pay As You Wish | Please RSVP in Advance
Join us for the afterparty following the Indie Lens Pop-Up screening of We Want the Funk: The History of Funk Music. DJ E-Knuf will keep the vibe alive with funky beats perfect for dancing the night away!
Earth Day Clothing Swap
Tuesday, April 22nd | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join us in celebrating Earth Day with a fun and eco-friendly clothing swap! This event is a perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe sustainably, connect with your community, and reduce waste. Donation not required to take home clothing. Please bring your own bag to take home your items, bags will be available to those without one while supplies last. Limited dressing rooms available. We recommend wearing light layers that will allow you to try on clothes over the ones you wear.
Bring gently used clothing, workwear, shoes and accessories to donate between April 15th and the day of the event. Donations can be delivered to the museum during open hours. All remaining items will be taken to NMC's clothing closets for students or donated.
This event is held in partnership with NMC Student Services, NMC Pride, Penny Lane, Slip Vintage and Up North Pride.
spring art market
Saturday, May 10th | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Our Spring Art Market features 25 Michigan artists selling their work indoors along with free admission to the museum and special programming to celebrate artists, spring, and moms!
Indulge in a Mawby sparkling cocktail at our afternoon cash sparkling bar while you take in the art with a pianist in the galleries. Support artists and shop unique gifts and artwork. Create a Mother's Day card in our Discovery Gallery. A day of fun for all!
Spring Art Market | 10 AM - 4 PM
Mother's Day Card Making Project | 10 AM - 2 PM
Pianist in the Galleries | 12 - 3 PM
Snacks & Lemonade | 12 - 3 PM (or as long as they last)
Mawby Sparkling Cocktail Bar | 12 - 3 PM (or as long as they last)
See the full list of artists and find more details at: https://shop.dennosmuseum.org/2025-spring-art-market
SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECTS
Sunday, May 11th | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Mini embroidery/tapestry project inspired by Small Expressions.
Come to the museum and take part in a vibrant participatory artistic experience every second Sunday of the month! From flower arranging and printmaking to painting and weaving, each session offers a unique and creative activity.
This month's Second Sunday Art Project is made possible in part with support from the Linda O'Meara Fund for Arts Education and the Michigan League of Handweavers.
Speaking Truth to Power: An Evening with Photographer Taro Yamasaki
Presented by TC AAPI - a local, grassroots committee
Tuesday May 13th | 5-8:00 PM
5 - 6:00 PM | Appetizers in the museum Sculpture Court
6 - 8:00 PM | Event in Milliken with Taro Yamasaki
Join us for an evening event with Taro Yamasaki, a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist. He has completed many hundreds of assignments for national magazines, newspapers and nonprofit journals, in 48 states and in numerous countries around the world.
Yamasaki has spent much of his 45+ year career telling the devastating human stories of innocents ravaged by war, disease, natural disasters, and the cruelty of tyrants. In 2023, 109 of these photographs were acquired by the Library of Congress for its permanent collection.
Yamasaki has also photographed architecture throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia (resulting in two folio size books) and has spent 3 semesters teaching documentary photography at the University of Michigan School of Art and Design (now the Penny Stamps School of Art and Design), the last two as the "Distinguished Visiting Artist in Residence."
Event is free and open to the public. It will contain depictions of adults and children who experienced trauma or loss in a war zone.
Limit 250. Please RSVP.
This program is made possible with support from Northern Michigan E3, Northwestern Michigan College Library and the DEIB Advisory Council, the Traverse City Human Rights Commission, and Oryana Community Co-op, the Dennos Museum Center, and the Traverse Area District Library.
