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.
SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECTS
Every Second Sunday of the Month | 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 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.
2025 Fall Opening Reception
Thursday, September 18 | 7 - 9:00 PM
$0 - $10
Join the fun for our fall opening reception! Doors will open at 6:45 PM. Enjoy an evening with desserts and a cash bar. Each guest will receive one drink ticket upon arrival. Members receive 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. Limit of 300.
Comedy in the Collection: A Museum-Worthy Variety Show
Saturday, September 20 | 7:00 PM
$15 - $20
Full Tilt comedy storms the Sculpture Court with their signature blend of Improv, sketch, and musical parody. Not your average night at the gallery, this comedy show uses audience suggestions to launch scenes, characters, and stories—created entirely on the spot. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time guest, be part of this artfully improvised evening out. Ages 16+
At the 45th Parallel: Artist Talk & Pop-Up Exhibit
Tuesday, September 23 | 4 - 6:00 PM
$0 - $10
Join us for an artist talk and afternoon with artist Brenda Zlamany, whose pop-up exhibition At the 45th Parallel: 45 Portraits + 4–5 Landscapes will be on view in the Janis room September 23 - 25.
At Tusen Takk, Zlamany painted local subjects as part of the 'Climate in America’ chapter in her ongoing project, The Itinerant Portraitist. While in northern Michigan, Zlamany painted 45 watercolor portraits of residents, symbolic of the 45th parallel that runs through the region, and a cycle of 4 to 5 oil paintings to explore the landscape through elemental and allegorical themes. Together, the portraits and landscapes form a meditation on what it means to live halfway between the equator and the North Pole, where seasonal extremes, shifting climates, and human experience intersect.
The Itinerant Portraitist is a multi-year global project created by Zlamany in 2011 to explore the positive impacts of painted portraiture. The residency at Tusen Takk continues Zlamany's “Climate in America” chapter after previous iterations in Key West, Sonoma, Denali National Park, and Glacier National Park. For details on the project, visit www.brendazlamany.com, or follow on Instagram @brenda_zlamany and @tusentakkfoundation.
Museum Morning Muse Option 1
Wednesday, September 24 | 9 - 10:00 AM
$49 | REGISTER THROUGH NMC EXTENDED ED
Begin your day with inspiration and discovery by joining this reflective art appreciation class. Held in the early morning hours at the Dennos Museum Center, this course invites participants to delve deeply into the nuances and emotional resonance of artwork, fostering a meditative and enriching start to your day.
This course will be offered again on October 22 with a focus on a different artwork.
Currents of Thought: Ice, Water, and Interdisciplinary Insight
Thursday, October 9 | 5:00 PM
$0 - $10
Join artists, scientists, and environmental researchers for a dynamic conversation exploring how art and data come together to deepen our understanding of changing water landscapes. From the shifting ice of the Arctic to the freshwater systems of the Great Lakes, panelists will share stories of collaboration across disciplines, offering new perspectives on how we observe, interpret, and respond to a changing environment.
Northern Michigan Dance Festival
Saturday, October 11 | 7:00 PM
$30 - $35
Join the Traverse City Dance Project and the Dennos Museum Center for the second of three performances in the newest event in town: the Northern Michigan Dance Festival. This highlight of the festival features Grand Rapids Ballet performing choreographer Trey McIntyre’s Be Here Now, a ballet set to music that captures the spirit of the 1960s. The first act of the program is a mixed bill showcasing dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Traverse City Dance Project.
The evening also includes Three Movements—a music and contemporary dance installation in the Sculpture Gallery of the Dennos Museum Center. This piece transforms the transitional moments of the night through a collaboration with the Charlie Millard Band. The final movement doubles as a reception, complete with a cash bar and the opportunity to meet the dancers. Arrive between 7:00–7:30 PM to experience the Pre-Show Installation!
Event Schedule
Pre-Show | 7:00–7:30 PM
Installation Movement 1: Prelude – Resonance
Performance Act 1 | 7:30–8:10 PM
Intermission | 8:10–8:30 PM
Installation Movement 2: Interlude – Syncopation
Performance Act 2 | 8:30–9:10 PM
Post-Show / Reception | 9:10–10:00 PM
Movement 3: Finale - Crescendo
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Monday, October 13 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
FREE
Join us at the Dennos Museum Center for a free day of learning, celebration, and community as we honor the vibrant and enduring cultures of Indigenous peoples. Advanced registration is not required for this event, but appreciated.
A Water Trail Film Screening
Saturday, October 18 | 4:00 PM
PAY WHAT YOU WISH
From poisoned pipes to hurricane winds, A Water Trail follows a mother’s journey from artist to activist. Out of grief and separation, she co-founds The Sister Tour—a platform where women build through art, storytelling, and enterprise.
Following the screening, join a conversation with the film’s writer, director, and producer, Tuklor Williams—a student at Northwestern Michigan College—along with other panelists involved in clean water advocacy. This event marks the 53rd anniversary of the Clean Water Act and together, they’ll reflect on the film’s themes, share personal insights, and discuss the ongoing fight for clean water.
Museum Morning Muse Option 2
Wednesday, October 22 | 9 - 10:00 AM
$49 | REGISTER THROUGH NMC EXTENDED ED
Begin your day with inspiration and discovery by joining this reflective art appreciation class. Held in the early morning hours at the Dennos Museum Center, this course invites participants to delve deeply into the nuances and emotional resonance of artwork, fostering a meditative and enriching start to your day.
Halloween for All
Saturday, October 25 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
FREE
Join the Dennos Museum Center and Children’s Therapy Corner for the third 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!
Visitors may self-select activities they would like to participate in, with descriptive maps and communication boards provided at the entrance to the museum. The Dutmers Theater will be a designated quiet room, offering an easily accessible space to take a break.
Mock Tours at DMC: Halloween Edition
Friday, October 31 | 7:00 & 9:30 PM Start
$20 - $25
Mocktails and Mock Tours is BACK—and this time, it’s haunted! Join Full Tilt Comedy and the Dennos Museum Center 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: 7:00 PM for a post trick-or-treat or 9:30 PM for a mischievous museum romp. Ages 16+
Holiday Artist Market
November 7 & 8 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
FREE
Step into the spirit of the season at the Dennos Museum Center’s cherished Holiday Artist Market—a festive, two-day indoor event celebrating the creativity of 30 talented Michigan artists. Set within the museum’s Sculpture Court and Milliken Auditorium entryway, this juried marketplace offers an inspiring experience for art lovers and holiday shoppers of all ages. Browse original, heartfelt artwork and handcrafted goods, indulge in treats from a local specialty food vendor, and explore the Museum Store’s Holiday Corner, brimming with artisan-made ornaments, holiday cards, and perfect stocking stuffers. Don’t miss the popular holiday raffle, with prizes donated by participating artists—all proceeds support educational programming for children. Admission is free for all!
Learn more about the participating artists at shop.dennosmuseum.org.
In Conversation with Dewey Blocksma
Thursday, November 20 | 4:00 PM
$0 - $10
Join us for an afternoon with artist Dewey Blocksma, whose solo exhibition Roundtable will be on view at the museum. A former emergency room physician turned full-time artist, Blocksma draws upon his global experiences, medicine, and memory to create folk-inspired assemblages. During this conversation, Blocksma will share stories from his unconventional path to becoming an artist, the influences and inspiration behind Roundtable, and what continues to inform his artmaking practice.
Museum Store Sunday
Sunday, November 30 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Shop with purpose and celebrate your local museum store while enjoying special discounts and treats!
Solstice Silent Disco
Sunday, December 21 | 6 - 9:00 PM
$10 - $20
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 as you head to the dance floor or mingle in the galleries.
Whether you’re here to groove or simply soak in the ambiance, enjoy a unique evening experience in the museum. Warm drinks and light snacks will be available to keep the solstice spirits bright. Cash bar for those 21+.
This event is open to all ages. Parental guidance is advised.
