The Northern Illinois University Art Museum is excited to announce the fall 2012 Get-on-the-Bus trips. Want to meet other art lovers, keep up with what’s happening in the art world, see innovative historical exhibits, and travel without the hassle of traffic, tolls, and parking? —Then Get-on-the-Bus and enjoy the ride! The NIU Art Museum schedules the trip, makes the itinerary and arrangements, and you just need to sign up and prepay by the posted deadlines. Trips depart from the NIU School of Art parking lot on Northern Illinois University’s DeKalb campus at the northeast corner of Gilbert and College Avenue unless otherwise specified. Don’t miss these great trips—sign up today and Get-On-The-Bus!
Friday, September 7, Chicago Gallery Season Openings and Roger Brown exhibits. This annual arts extravaganza features over 50 cutting-edge galleries in the West Loop and River North Gallery districts of Chicago. In addition to the gallery receptions, they’ll visit the SAIC Sullivan Galleries to view Lips of Gossip: Eros and Thanatos by Roger Brown as a group before disbursing to do your own thing with optional drop-offs at the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art. There are various shuttle options between the River North and West Loop gallery districts before they reconvene for the ride home. Bus leaves from the School of Art Parking Lot at 1 p.m.; Return arrival at 10:30 p.m.; Transportation Costs: Members: $12; Students/Senior (non member): $16; Others: $20. Remember: galleries are free; museum entry fees on your own. Food costs at your own expense. Registration and payment deadline: Wednesday, September 5.
Saturday, October 20, Bridgeport Art Center and Eastbank Studio Bi-Annual Open House. The Art Museum is offering an opportunity to explore this exciting new arts district in Chicago. The Artists of Eastbank’s casual third Friday open studios expand to a weekend-long event twice a year. Come to the Bridgeport Art Center during these not-to-be-missed events and meet a diverse group of artists who are shaping the Chicago arts culture. Sip on spirits and enjoy light snacks and tunes as you explore their studios and the gallery. You’ll have the opportunity to chat with the artists, view demos and purchase one of a kind artwork. Bus leaves from the School of Art Parking Lot at 10:30 a.m.; Return arrival 8:30 p.m.; Transportation Costs: Members: $12, Students/Seniors (non member): $16; Others: $20. Meal and art purchase costs at your own expense. Registration and payment deadline: Wednesday, October 17.
Saturday, November 3, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Alphonse Mucha, Grant Wood and Marvin Cone; Art Nouveau and Regionalism. Alphonse Mucha: Inspirations of Art Nouveau at the new National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is the only American venue for this historic exhibition of paintings, jewelry, sculpture and lithographs from the Mucha Foundation in Prague and London. Bus leaves from the School of Art Parking Lot at 7:00 a.m.; Return arrival 9 p.m.; Transportation and Exhibition Tickets at Cedar Rapids Art Museum, and the NCSML: Members: $45, Students/Senior (non member): $50, Others: $60. Food costs at your own expense. Registration and payment deadline: Wednesday, October 10.
Friday, November 16, Chicago Cultural Heritage Museums I. This first trip in the series exploring Chicago’s many ethnic cultures and neighborhoods will cover a selection of Heritage Museums, including the Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial. Bus leaves from the School of Art Parking Lot at 8:30 a.m.; Return arrival at 7:30 p.m.; Transportation and Tours: Pricing TBA. Additional Heritage stops TBA. Limited time will be provided to explore neighborhoods and sample the regional cuisine. Food costs at your own expense. Registration and payment deadline: Wednesday, October 17.
To register for these trips, please stop by the NIU Art Museum, first floor, west end of Altgeld Hall, telephone (815) 753-1936 or email Heather at hgreen2@niu.edu. More information about the museum and its programming can be found online here. Payment may be made with cash, a check made out to NIU, or a major credit card. Payment must be made in advance to guarantee your seat on the bus. NIU Art Museum members receive discounts on bus trips as well as access to Members’ Only Trips. Please note dates and prices of bus trips are subject to change and trips are frequently added throughout the year, so please check the website for the most updated information.
Interested in becoming an NIU Art Museum member? Membership entitles you to priority registration and discounted fees on Get-On-The-Bus Trips, exhibition announcements, special members-only previews, receptions and special events, a subscription to Museum Notes newsletter, and a 20% discount on NIU Art Museum Catalogues. Friend, or basic, annual membership rates are Individual: $25, Dual: $45, Student: $10, Senior: $15, and Dual Senior: $25. Sponsor and Patron level annual memberships, at $100 and $250 respectively, include an artist print as a premium. Payment may be made by credit card, cash or check. Students must attach a current student ID to their membership application. The NIU Art Museum can process your membership over the phone (815 753-1936). You can also apply for membership at the museum or print the online form available at http://www.niu.edu/artmuseum/membership/becoming.shtml and mail with your payment to the NIU Art Museum, 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115.
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