It's time for a "State of the Arts" update! In all times, the arts offer refuge, mental escape, and creative paths toward better understanding one another in a world in need of understanding. And despite all odds, 2020 has proven that the arts continue to be more important and vital than ever before. In fact, for arts organizations, 2020 has been a tremendous period of rediscovery, innovation, and teamwork.

Are you ready for an "ooky spooky" art-filled Halloween celebration, the likes of which only the Polk Museum of Art could present?

Join your favorite Museum staff members as they entertain and educate you with ghoulish, spooky, and oh-so-strange stories inspired by some of the most famous pieces of art throughout history.

Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Hispanic influence and innovation can be realized and appreciated in countless aspects of our culture — and art is no exception!

Grab your pens and paper because have we got the crash course for you! Join Dr. Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator, as he gathers three art historian colleagues with diverse specializations for a fun, interactive night as they go over the ABCs of Art History. With an alphabet of letters to choose from, these four art historians will be on call, ready to chat about the words every armchair art historian should know and to clarify any art terms and ideas that YOU would like to understand better.

Join Dr. Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator, and Dr. Willem Hoogsteder, the owner and director of the Hoogsteder & Hoogsteder Gallery in The Hague, as they chat with you — our loyal members — LIVE and dive into the three-year journey behind the creation of Music & Dance and the intricate behind-the-scenes work Willem does to secure works that will enthrall us here in Florida.

The Wait is Over!

Have you heard the news? We're reopening! And we're celebrating! We have loved bringing the Museum to you virtually over the past few months, but we are so excited to welcome you back to the Museum itself and to tell you ALL about our fantastic new season ahead. Tonight, we salute our Members and toast to the return of public visitors beginning September 8.

Join Dr. Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator for an evening of music and discussion featuring piano and marimba performances.

Meet the Museum

Join Dr. Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator, for an interactive happy hour and Q&A as he chats LIVE with YOU and members of our key staff: Taylor Holycross, Manager of Membership and Communications, Ellen Chastain, Education Manager, and Tory King, Director of Retail Operations & Visitor Experience. They are eager to discuss the secrets of the museum business, their roles at our Museum, and YOUR questions live!FLA, and Staci DaSilva, Polk County Reporter for WFLA. They are excited to take YOUR questions live, eager to discuss the powerful role journalism plays in our everyday lives, our community, and in the arts.

Why We Need Journalism Now More Than Ever

Join Dr. Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator, for an interactive happy hour and Q&A as he chats LIVE with YOU and special guests Barry Friedman, Editor and Publisher of LkldNow, Kimberly Moore, Senior Reporter at The Ledger, Jamie Cook, News Videographer at WFLA, and Staci DaSilva, Polk County Reporter for WFLA. They are excited to take YOUR questions live, eager to discuss the powerful role journalism plays in our everyday lives, our community, and in the arts.

Behind the Scenes with the Curatorial Team

This week's topic: the Makings of a Collection! How do museums decide what pieces to add to their permanent collections? How do they acquire new works or deaccession ones they no longer want? For that matter, where do museums store everything? In this interactive Drinks With the Director, dive into the secrets of collecting and managing the Museum's permanent collection with our Curatorial team to find out how our collection grew to 2,800 works and to learn the fascinating stories behind them.

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a working artist is like? Where their inspiration comes from or how they create their incredible pieces of art? You’re in luck! Our amazing Curatorial team interviewed an artist a week for the month of June — LIVE!
Watch Laura Putnam, Manager of Exhibitions and Adult Programs, along with our third guest artist, Charles Edward Williams!

Why We Need the Arts Now

Join Dr. Alex Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator, for an interactive happy hour and Q&A as he chats LIVE with YOU and special guests Amy Wiggins, Executive Director of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, Jermaine Thornton, Executive Director of Florida Dance Theatre, and Meri Mass, Executive Director of the Polk Arts Alliance. They are excited to take take YOUR questions live, eager to discuss the powerful roles all arts organizations play in our community, the obstacles they face, and the impact they will have moving forward.

Happy Hour with the Curatorial Team

We're putting a new twist on our First Thursday After Hours! With a drink in hand (BYOB, alcoholic or non), join us — and Executive Director Alex Rich — on Facebook Live this Thursday, May 7, at 6 pm, as he chats with YOU and our amazing Curatorial team.