Open House
Explore. Make. Connect. Enjoy!
This day-long celebration invites visitors of all ages to discover the
museum through storytelling, dance, poetry and tours; as well as to explore
their creativity through artmaking.
Discover that there is no single way to experience art or the museum. Programs and other activities will take place throughout the day. Chazen Museum of Art. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: Free. Information: 263-2246, events@chazen.wisc.edu
Talks & Tours Series
Take a deep dive into the reinstallation process through a series of conversations and gallery talks, which will culminate in a conversation between director Amy Gilman and the Division of the Arts writer-in-residence Seph Rodney. Join Chazen staff throughout the day to discover works of art through a new lens. Chazen Museum of Art. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: Free. Information: 263-2246, events@chazen.wisc.edu
2026 Sip and Shop Holiday Art Market
This festive event features local vendors, specialty coffees, wine, and beer for purchase at the Chazen Café, and the museum's newly reinstalled collection.
Don't miss a chance to shop for unique, handcrafted items, and get into the holiday spirit with friends and family.
Featured Artists will be shared closer to the event date!
The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Chazen Museum of Art. 3-7 p.m. Information: 263-2246, hphart@wisc.edu
Campus Museum Crawl
Join us for a night at the (campus) Museums! Explore campus spaces, meet new people, and learn more about what our campus museums have to offer.
Start at one of our four locations, pick up your passport, participate in the activities at each location, and return your passport for a chance to win raffle prizes! 5-7 p.m. Cost: free. Information: 224-678-3016, sfosco@wisc.edu
Active Badger Day: Meditation at Chazen
Join us for meditation with a calming backdrop – a gallery at the Chazen. This a free session and is open to students and Rec Well members! Please register in advance. Chazen Museum of Art. 4-4:30 p.m.
Study Day at the Chazen
Stop by the Chazen Museum of Art on Study Day and enjoy a quiet space to cram for finals while surrounded by beautiful art!
Need a break from studying? We'll have button making and coloring supplies out all day, food and snack breaks, and therapy dogs onsite to help you decompress!
9:00 am Breakfast and Coffee Bar (while supplies last)
11:00 am-12:30 pm Dogs on Call
1:00 pm Snack Break (while supplies last)
5:00 pm Ian's Pizza (while supplies last) Chazen Museum of Art. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Information: 263-2246, events@chazen.wisc.edu
2025 Sip and Shop Holiday Art Market
Join us for our second annual Sip and Shop Holiday Art Market in the Chazen Museum of Art's Mead Witter Lobby. Featuring ten local vendors, this festive event offers the chance to shop for unique, handcrafted items by local makers. Beverages—ranging from specialty coffee to wine—will be available for purchase at the Chazen Café. This will be the perfect opportunity to get into the holiday spirit and find one-of-a-kind gifts while surrounded by artwork on view throughout the museum's galleries. Mead Witter Lobby, Chazen Museum of Art. 3-7 p.m. Cost: Free to attend. Information: 265-1334, hphart@wisc.edu
Japanese Tea Ceremony Demonstration and Discussion
Inspired by the vessels on view in "Toshiko Takaezu: Worlds Within", Nyosen Nakamura Sensei, Headmaster of the Kogetsu Enshu School of Zen Tea Ceremony in Japan, will demonstrate and discuss his art.
Guests will learn and experience the history and philosophy of samurai tea, the connections between mindfulness and tea, and the precise, and the flowing movements of tea-making which offer a living expression of intentionality and presence. Chazen Museum of Art. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Information: 263-2246, events@chazen.wisc.edu
Art History Open House
In celebration of the Department of Art History’s 100th anniversary, join faculty, staff, students, and alumni from the department for informal conversations on art. Members from the Department’s community will be stationed across the Chazen Museum of Art, Elvehjem building, and School of Human Ecology to engage visitors in close looking, curiosity, and the richness of arts’ multilayered histories. 2-4 p.m. Information: 772-1026, avandrzejews@wisc.edu
Back to School Bash (Chazen Museum of Art)
Kick off the school year with artmaking activities and exploration at the Chazen. Swing by for FREE tote bag decorating, a UW scavenger hunt through the galleries, tasty snacks, and a chance to win fun prizes including a Chazen Café gift card. This free event is made possible by the Jeannette K. Goldenson Student Program series and is a great way to head into fall semester. We can’t wait to see you there!
Activities and giveaways are available while supplies last. Chazen Museum of Art. 3-5 p.m. Information: visit@chazen.wisc.edu