Pittsburgh, PA…The Frick Art & Historical Center, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Westmoreland Museum of American Art announced today that they will offer free admission on May 18 (Frick Art & Historical Center); May 20 (Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History); and May 22 (Westmoreland Museum of American Art) as part of the Association of Art Museum Directors’ (AAMD) celebration of International Museum Day. Participation by AAMD member museums will focus attention on the important roles that art museums serve in their communities, further showcase their remarkable collections, and increase opportunities for audiences to engage with the many educational programs art museums offer.
On Tuesday, May 18, the Frick Art & Historical Center will offer free admission for docent tours of Clayton, the restored turn-of-the-20th-century home of the Henry Clay Frick family. In addition, on May 18, admission to The Frick Art Museum and the Car and Carriage Museum will be free, as it is every day the Frick is open to the public. Reservations for tours are recommended and may be made by calling
412.371.0600, Monday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History will offer free admission 3:30–8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 20.
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art will offer free admission  11 a.m.–5 p.m. and a 10% discount in An American Marketplace—The Shop at The Westmoreland on Saturday, May 22.
AAMD member museums—located across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—include smaller regional museums as well as large international institutions. International Museum Day is organized annually around the world by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

“We are pleased to join museums around the world in celebrating International Museum Day,” said Frick Director Bill Bodine. “Offering free admission to our institutions provides an incentive for area residents to visit us and see how our museums contribute to Pittsburgh’s world-class cultural status.”

“The Westmoreland welcomes area residents to take advantage of our offer of free admission to the museum and a discount on shop purchases on Saturday, May 22,” said Westmoreland Museum of American Art Director/CEO Judith O’Toole. “We hope this incentive provides an occasion to experience the art of our country and southwestern Pennsylvania.”

“We are pleased to join our colleagues at Carnegie Museum of Natural History in offering free admission on the evening of May 20. I hope many people will take advantage of the opportunity to see the exemplary arts and culture on exhibit throughout our region,” said Lynn Zelevansky, The Henry J. Heinz II Director of Carnegie Museum of Art.

Michael Conforti, president of AAMD and director of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA, said, “We believe that art museums are crucial to our understanding of world history and cultures, and provide a unique and irreplaceable public service. AAMD is committed to exploring new ways to underscore the value of the visual arts in civic society, and we are excited that the Frick, Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, and Westmoreland Museum of American Art are joining with us and the global community of museums to focus on this message of public service.”
A comprehensive list of participating AAMD member art museums will be available in the newsroom of the AAMD Web site. Note that while ICOM’s International Museum Day is formally held each year on May 18, some institutions shift their celebrations to adjacent dates. More information about ICOM’s International Museum Day can be found here.

About the Museums

Frick Art & Historical Center

The Frick Art & Historical Center— located at 7227 Reynolds Street in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Pittsburgh— is the legacy of Helen Clay Frick, daughter of 19th-century industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick. Having established The Frick Art Museum in 1969, Miss Frick desired that her family home, Clayton, and the surrounding estate be preserved for, and opened to, the people of Pittsburgh after her death. Her vision was realized in 1990. Since that time, the Frick has adapted the facility built by Miss Frick to significantly increase its public, school and outreach programs; developed an ambitious program of temporary exhibitions that are recognized among Pittsburgh’s most important art offerings; increased its commitment to visitor amenities through The Café at the Frick (opened in 1994) and the Museum Shop; and improved facilities and grounds that make the Frick accessible to all as a place of quality and beauty.
The Frick is located at 7227 Reynolds Street in Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze neighborhood. Free parking is available in the Frick’s off-street lot or along adjacent streets. The Frick is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday and closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission to The Frick Art Museum, Car and Carriage Museum, Greenhouse, and Playhouse is free. Information regarding the Frick is available by visiting the Web site or calling 412.371.0600.

Carnegie Museum of Art

Located at 4400 Forbes Avenue in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art was founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1895. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, it is nationally and internationally recognized for its distinguished collection of American and European works from the 16th century to the present. The Heinz Architectural Center, part of Carnegie Museum of Art, is dedicated to enhancing understanding of the physical environment through its exhibitions, collections, and public programs. For more information about Carnegie Museum of Art, call 412.622.3131 or visit the Web site.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, is ranked among the top five natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of 20 million objects and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. More information is available by calling 412.622.3131 or by visiting the Web site.

Westmoreland Museum of American Art

The Westmoreland is situated 35 miles east of Pittsburgh at 221 N. Main Street in the heart of Greensburg, houses collections featuring artwork by such celebrated American artists as Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt and Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Westmoreland captures the American spirit in a way few museums do. See how the American experience is brought to life through the inspired eyes of artists at The Westmoreland. It’s the only museum of American art in western Pennsylvania. Regular Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday until 9 p.m. Museum admission is a $5 suggested donation for adults, children under 12 and students with valid ID are free. Guided tours can be arranged by calling 724.837.1500 ext. 10. An American Marketplace – The Shop at The Westmoreland carries books on American art, posters and note cards, children’s books and activities, unique gift ware, and jewelry, and features a coffee bar. For directions to The Westmoreland or other information, the public should call 724.837.1500 or visit the Web site.

Carnegie Museum of Art

Located at 4400 Forbes Avenue in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art was founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1895. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, it is nationally and internationally recognized for its distinguished collection of American and European works from the 16th century to the present. The Heinz Architectural Center, part of Carnegie Museum of Art, is dedicated to enhancing understanding of the physical environment through its exhibitions, collections, and public programs. For more information about Carnegie Museum of Art, call 412.622.3131 or visit our web site at www.cmoa.org.

Contact:

Ellen James
412.688.8690
jamese@carnegiemuseums.org