Find your summer refuge in U of A museums
By Kendall Sternberg, University Communications
The University of Arizona Museum of Art now offers free admission to all visitors, making it easier than ever to explore its world-class collection and escape the summer heat.
Courtesy of the University of Arizona Museum of Art
When Tucson's temperatures climb, finding ways to stay cool often means heading indoors, and at the U of A, escaping the heat can be an opportunity to explore art, culture, science and more.
Across campus, the university's museums offer air-conditioned spaces where visitors can slow down, learn something new and spend time with world-class collections.
Chelsea Farrar
Courtesy of the University of Arizona Museum of Art
At the University of Arizona Museum of Art, director Chelsea Farrar says museums offer more than just relief from the sun – they can also provide a welcome break from the pace of everyday life.
"I advocate for museums being a place of refuge 12 months of the year," Farrar said. "It's a place where we can digitally disconnect. A place to put your phone away and engage directly with an object."
That sense of calm is paired with physical comfort, Farrar said. To help preserve the museum's collection, galleries are carefully climate controlled.
"The beautiful thing is that we have to maintain a certain temperature and humidity level in order to care for our pieces," Farrar said. "So we're almost always a near-perfect 68 to 70 degrees in all of our galleries."
'The arts are for everyone'
Tucked into the northwest corner of campus near Park Avenue and Speedway Boulevard, the University of Arizona Museum of Art is what Farrar calls a "hidden gem." The museum houses an extraordinary collection of European and American masterworks, including pieces by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Georgia O'Keeffe, as well as the famed Willem de Kooning painting "Woman-Ochre."
"We actually only have about 2% to 4% of our collection on view at one time," Farrar said. "We always invite people to come back two or three times a year, and you're going to see something new."
The University of Arizona Museum of Art welcomes visitors of all ages, inviting moments of shared discovery across generations.
Courtesy of the University of Arizona Museum of Art
This summer also marks a significant change for the museum: admission is now free for everyone.
"We're really trying to reduce all barriers for anyone to come visit us," Farrar said.
Whether visitors are lifelong museumgoers or stepping into a gallery for the first time, Farrar hopes they leave feeling welcome.
"The arts are for everyone," she said. "You don't have to have an art background. You don't have to 'get it' – you just have to spend some time and be open."
From art and science to history and culture, U of A museums offer a chance to stay cool while seeing campus in a whole new way.
Visitors looking for holiday plans can also head to Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, which will remain open on July 4 with three special laser shows: "Laser Movie Magic," "Laser KPop Demon Hunters" and "Laser ABBA."
Below are some of the museums and attractions open this summer:
African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Summer hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday. Guided tours are available by appointment. The museum will be closed from July 1-Aug 5.
Admission: Free
Address: 1303 E. University Blvd., Room 244
Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum
Summer hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday
Admission: $15 for adults (ages 13-64), $10 for seniors (ages 65+) and active military with I.D., $5 for Children (ages 4-12) and Arizona college students with I.D. Childen three and under are free.
Address: 115 N. Church Ave., Suite 121
Center for Creative Photography
Summer hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. The Center for Creative Photography will be closed from July 3-Aug.7.
Admission: Free
Address: 1030 N. Olive Road
Center for Creative Photography Chill Zone
Summer hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday, June 1-July 2. Chill Zone is a self-guided space with scheduled activities led by CCP staff.
Admission: Free
Address: 1030 N. Olive Road
Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Summer hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Guided tours are available for booking on certain days.
Admission: Free
Address: 1703 E. Mabel St., Room 260
Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium
Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday.
Admission: Visit the tickets page for more information on prices and discounts. Summer Family Passes available.
Address: 1601 E. University Blvd.
Once stolen and missing for more than three decades, Willem de Kooning’s "Woman-Ochre" now draws visitors back to the University of Arizona Museum of Art.
Courtesy of the University of Arizona Museum of Art
John E. Greivenkamp Museum of Optics
Summer hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Admission: Free
Address: Meinel Optical Sciences, 1630 E. University Blvd.
Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
Summer hours: Open for self-guided tours 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Docent-led tours are available for booking on certain days.
Admission: Free
Address: Bryant Bannister Tree Ring Building, 1215 E. Lowell St.
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter
Summer hours: Several programs are available for booking.
Admission: Visit the tickets page for details.
Address: 9800 E. Ski Run Road., Mount Lemmon
Poetry Center
Summer hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. The Poetry Center will be closed from July 3-July 21.
Admission: Free
Address: 1508 E. Helen St.
University of Arizona Museum of Art
Summer hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. The museum will be closed from July 3- Aug. 6.
Admission: Free
Address: 1031 N. Olive Road
Worlds of Words Center of Global Literacies and Literatures
Summer hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The center will be closed from June 29-July 10.
Admission: Free
Address: 1430 E. Second St., Room 453