Events
Public Tour
Join us on a 50-minute tour of the People’s Collection. These tours are great during a first-time visit, after lunch at …
May 23, 2026
Western North Carolina Art and Craft Showcase
This one-day market celebrates the traditions and contemporary practices of craft artists from Western North Carolina, a…
May 23, 2026
Knowing the West Community Day
Join us for a community day featuring free admission to Knowing the West. Image: Artist once known (Nimiipuu [Nez Perce…
May 23, 2026
Art on the Dot
Art on the Dot is the NCMA’s newest tour offering! We encourage you to join a docent in the galleries for a bite-sized t…
May 24, 2026
Public Tour
Join us on a 50-minute tour of the People’s Collection. These tours are great during a first-time visit, after lunch at …
May 24, 2026
RESCHEDULED: Sights and Sounds on Sundays Concert Series: The Ulysses Quartet
This event is rescheduled from January 25 to May 24. Presented by Richard and Elizabeth Epstein Christina Bouey, viol…
May 24, 2026
From Irving Berlin to Louis Armstrong: Celebrating the Jewish Songwriters and African American Performers Who Shaped American Music
Featuring the Joe Alterman Quartet with special guest Christian Tamburr Step into the rich, interconnected story of Amer…
May 28, 2026
The Art of Research: A Curator’s Celebration
Join Caroline Rocheleau, director of research and curator of ancient collections, to celebrate the publication of Ancien…
May 29, 2026
Still. Moving: Zonal Harmonic 170,000 and Zonal Harmonic 220,000 as interpreted by Rainbow Dance Co./Arts Together
Created in dialogue with Zonal Harmonic 170,000 and Zonal Harmonic 220,000, this original work by Rainbow Dance Co./Arts…
May 30, 2026
Art on the Dot
Art on the Dot is the NCMA’s newest tour offering! We encourage you to join a docent in the galleries for a bite-sized t…
May 30, 2026
Still. Moving: Zonal Harmonic 170,000 and Zonal Harmonic 220,000 as interpreted by Rainbow Dance Co./Arts Together
Created in dialogue with Zonal Harmonic 170,000 and Zonal Harmonic 220,000, this original work by Rainbow Dance Co./Arts…
May 30, 2026
Public Tour
Join us on a 50-minute tour of the People’s Collection. These tours are great during a first-time visit, after lunch at …
May 30, 2026
Events
Calendar of Events
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Saturday
|
Sunday
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
1 event,
–
Join us for a special edition of NCMA After Hours as we celebrate the opening of the exhibition Knowing the West. Spend the evening exploring the exhibition, enjoying music, and taking part in hands-on creative experiences inspired by the stories and artists featured in the show. Join artist Peter Marin for guided tours of the
Free
|
3 events,
–
Members receive access to the exhibition a day before it opens to the public. Enjoy the show without the crowds and take advantage of the member discount in the Exhibition Store. Image: Dorothy Brett, Desert Indian, 1932/1937, oil on canvas, 40 × 40 in., Tia Collection; Photo: James Hart Photography
Free
–
This opening conversation focuses on Knowing the West, the first major traveling exhibition to embrace and examine how people see the American West. Please join us as curators Jami C. Powell and Larissa Randall discuss the show’s development and themes and share stories about the range of artwork on display. About the speakers Jami C.
Free
–
Space is limited and preregistration is required—no walk-ups and no waitlist. These programs fill up fast but are offered once every season if registration for this one is closed. Join us for an after-hours walk in the Museum Park. Enjoy our seasonal guided moonlit walk to experience nature and art at night. Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately
Free
|
3 events,
–
Find new favorites alongside old friends on this playful tour. Tour is 30 minutes long and best for kids ages 5–11 with their adult companions. Photo: Courtney Klemens
Free
–
Join us to spend time sketching with other teens in the galleries. Bring a pencil and your sketchbook and follow prompts or find your favorite sketching spot with a friend. All levels of experience are welcome. For ages 13–18. Photo: Angela Lombardi
Free
–
James and the Giant Peach (1996). Directed by Henry Selick, 1 hr. 19 min., adventure/animation/family/fantasy, PG Enjoy this classic film about an orphan who lives with his two cruel aunts, befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and embarks on a journey to New York City. Come at 6 pm for premovie activities
$10
|
|
|
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
2 events,
–
Spend a morning at the Museum with our beloved program for preschoolers! Meet a work of art, enjoy movement and play, and get your creative juices flowing with these sessions for 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers. Adults and children take a visit to the Museum galleries and create unique works of art in our
$10
Spend a morning at the Museum with our beloved program for preschoolers! Meet a work of art, enjoy movement and play, and get your creative juices flowing with these sessions for 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers. Adults and children take a visit to the Museum galleries and create unique works of art in our
$10
|
2 events,
–
Please note: you must sign up for each individual occurrence if you want to attend more than one session. The ancient Chinese martial art of Tai Chi combines slow and gentle movements with focused attention. During this accessible class, participants are guided through visually and vocally descriptive cues and have the option to sit or stand throughout. Taught by Tish
Free
|
0 events,
|
3 events,
–
In this accessible, interactive workshop, participants use sculpture as a medium for self-discovery. Led by sculptor and certified mindfulness instructor Meg Stein, the class invites participants to engage in hands-on sculpting while practicing embodied meditation, which fosters deeper self-connection and artistic expression. Stein begins with a relaxing guided meditation and offers participants prompts on how
$50
–
Get creative with NCMA art and artists at home! Reserve an activity kit with materials for a complete hands-on project plus written instructions. Kits are designed for all ages. In English and Spanish. This month’s kit provides the materials to create a still life with a twist: a colorful and modern floral collage inspired by artist Bartolomé
Free
–
This afternoon tea experience features a fixed price menu that includes savory canapés, finger sandwiches, and inspired pâtisserie. Premium teas or coffee included. Photo: Hans Rosemond Photography
$75
|
1 event, |
|
0 events,
|
1 event,
–
Educators enjoy exclusive access to Knowing the West. This is a self-guided program; tickets are limited and are available on the hour at 4, 5, or 6 pm. Image: Nellie Two Bear Gates (Iháƞktȟuƞwaƞna Dakhóta, Standing Rock Reservation), Suitcase, 1880–1910, beads, hide, metal, oilcloth, and thread, H. 12 1/2 × W. 17 11/16 × D. 10
Free
|
1 event,
Join us for an engaging evening with Michael W. Twitty, James Beard Award–winning culinary historian, writer, and educator. In conversation with author and UNC professor Marcie Cohen Ferris, he discusses his latest book, Recipes from the American South. Through storytelling, history, and food traditions, they explore the rich connections between cuisine, culture, faith and identity
$50
|
1 event,
–
Interested in learning a new language? Join us for an evening of cultural immersion! In partnership with Raleigh Sister Cities, a cohort of language ambassadors will be on the scene to answer all of your questions and start you on your language-learning journey with a beginner-friendly approach. Refreshments and snacks available for purchase. No registration required. About our partner
Free
|
2 events,
–
Join us as we explore the signs of spring through art, history, and science. During this pilot program, we spend time socializing, discussing art, and learning about North Carolina through a series of interactive experiences. In the Moment is a program series designed for those living with memory changes and their care partners. It inspires
Free
This spring and summer, the NCMA partners with Moore Square to present a series of FREE outdoor movies in Moore Square. Join us monthly on weekend evenings starting at 6 pm for themed programming. Films begin at 7:15 pm. Poupelle of Chimney Town (2020). Directed by Yûsuke Hirota, 1 hr. 40 min., animation/family/fantasy, PG A
Free
|
7 events,
–
Join us for a guided walk that focuses on the plants, animals, and sustainable design features of the Museum Park. During this engaging tour, participants explore the natural world around them, learn about biology and ecology, and more. Ages 12 and up. Space is limited, and preregistration is required. This tour is offered in the spring and fall each year, weather permitting. Photo: Bryanne Shepard
Free
–
Guided by expert artists, look closely at original works of art and find inspiration to create your own projects during these two-hour studio workshops. Sessions include a guided gallery tour plus time in the art studio to complete your own work of art. All materials are included. Best for families with children ages 5 to
$12
–
Join us for a morning workshop, How to Draw the Face, at the NCMA Winston-Salem. Stephen Lursen, a middle school art educator showcased in the NCMA’s Creative Lives of Educators exhibition, leads this program. He guides participants through the process of drawing the face step by step while also explaining how he teaches this to middle school students within the framework of an observational drawing unit, which culminates in
$5
|
2 events,
–
May is nationally recognized as a time to focus on mental health and well-being. To explore the powerful connection between healing and art, join us for an evening with seven-time Grammy-nominated performing artist Nnenna Freelon. Throughout this evening author event, Freelon guides the audience through an intimate blend of music, spoken word, and storytelling that
$25
|
|
0 events,
|
3 events,
–
Story time with an artful twist! Come look, listen, and move as we make connections with original works of art and children’s books. Rotating featured readers means there’s always a new perspective to enjoy. This month, make connections with works of art in our galleries as we get ready to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al Adha.
Free
–
Featuring violinist Ilana Zaks-Nederlander Join us for a tribute to Boris Lurie (1924–2008), a Holocaust survivor, artist, activist, and founder of the NO! art movement who emigrated to New York in 1946, is a powerful synthesis of historical music, visual art, archival testimony, and live performance. The program situates Lurie’s work within the broader artistic
Free
|
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
3 events,
–
Join us for a community day featuring free admission to Knowing the West. Image: Artist once known (Nimiipuu ), Saddle Blanket (detail), circa 1885, wool, glass beads, Chinese coins, 40 × 48 in. (sight), National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1983.06.12
Free
–
This one-day market celebrates the traditions and contemporary practices of craft artists from Western North Carolina, alongside makers from across the state. Featuring ceramics, textiles, woodwork, jewelry, prints, and more, the showcase highlights the depth and diversity of North Carolina’s creative community. The event invites visitors to meet artists, explore handmade work, and experience the NCMA as a statewide gathering place
Free
|
3 events,
–
This event is rescheduled from January 25 to May 24. Presented by Richard and Elizabeth Epstein Christina Bouey, violin Rhiannon Banerdt, violin Peter Dudek, viola Grace Ho, cello About the artists Hailed for their “textural versatility and grave beauty” (The Strad), the Ulysses Quartet has swiftly ascended as one of the most dynamic ensembles
$31
|
|
|
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
1 event,
Featuring the Joe Alterman Quartet with special guest Christian Tamburr Step into the rich, interconnected story of American music—where cultures converge, boundaries dissolve, and timeless songs are born. The concert From Irving Berlin to Louis Armstrong celebrates the extraordinary creative exchange between Jewish composers and African American performers that helped define the sound of the
$18
|
1 event,
–
Join Caroline Rocheleau, director of research and curator of ancient collections, to celebrate the publication of Ancient Greek, Italian, and Roman Art, the NCMA’s first catalogue dedicated to this collection. Discover the daily life of a curator as Rocheleau recounts behind-the-scenes stories of the ten years of collaborative scholarly and scientific research that went into
Free
|
5 events,
Movement meets masterpieces from the People’s Collection as dancers interpret form, story, and silence in the Museum galleries. Support provided by Dawn F. Lipson Photo: Courtesy of Christa Oliver
Free
Movement meets masterpieces from the People’s Collection as dancers interpret form, story, and silence in the Museum galleries. Support provided by Dawn F. Lipson Photo: Courtesy of Christa Oliver
Free
|
2 events, |
Join Our Email List
Stay up-to-date. Don’t miss a beat. Sign up to receive updates and special offers.