Crystal Bridges Welcomes Two Million Visitors, Unveils October Programs

Officials with the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art announced Wednesday that it has welcomed more than two million visitors since opening on November 11, 2011.

The number includes 89,000 students that have participated in the School Visit Program, more than 200,000 participants in lectures, performances, classes or other public programs, and visitors who view art in the permanent collection galleries and a range of temporary exhibitions, such as “State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now,” which drew a record-breaking 175,000 patrons from around the world. In addition, more than 240,000 visitors enjoy the museum’s 3.5 miles of art trails every year, Crystal Bridges officials said.

“As we approach our fourth year, we are grateful for the outpouring of support for the museum and excited to share this moment with the two million visitors who have made this museum so meaningful. The museum has become a destination within our region as well as for art lovers from around the world who have experienced art and architecture in our natural setting,” Crystal Bridges Executive Director Rod Bigelow said.

Throughout September, Crystal Bridges celebrated its attendance milestone with “2 Million and You,” thanking the community with offerings that include:

• Yard signs to be distributed to members and local businesses.
• A Memory Booth in the main lobby September 16-20. Museum guests are invited to fill out a “2 Million and You” card with their favorite experience or artwork; the cards will be posted in the lobby. Visitors can also share photos and memories on Instagram using #CB2Mil for a chance to be featured on the museum’s social channels.
• Two months of free membership when new members join at any level, September 16-30.
• Free admission to current exhibitions, including Warhol’s Nature and Jamie Wyeth on September 18.
• 10% discount (20% for members) on Crystal Bridges branded items in the museum store on September 18.

“We look forward to welcoming all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature, particularly new visitors with an affinity for architecture, who will experience the museum and the inspiring landscape of the region for the first time as part of their visit to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House,” Bigelow said. “As we embark on the next chapter in the museum’s history, we invite visitors to immerse themselves in the rich story of how a major American art museum emerged deep in the Ozark woods and attracted two million visitors in less than four years.”

OCTOBER PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITIONS
Visitors are invited to commemorate the closing of Warhol’s Nature with Art Night Out on October 3 and a Closing Conversation on October 4. October also brings programs inspired by the temporary exhibition, Alfred Maurer: Art on the Edge, on view October 10, 2015 – January 4, 2016.

Later in the month, internationally-recognized sculptor and activist Maya Lin will provide a Keynote Lecture on October 19 alongside a new site-specific work called Silver Upper White River, 2015, (recycled silver), located in the permanent collection galleries.