Local museums offer discounts during Museum Week

During the week of April 27 to May 3, the Philadelphia area will be hosting Museum Week. For the entire week, several local museums will provide visitors with special discounts on admission.

Museum Week is held in honor of the 2009 American Association of Museums (AAM) Conference, which will take place here in Philadelphia the first week in May, according to the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.

With over 50 local museums participating in this event, there are various exhibits for people to explore that cover a multitude of topics. Not all special exhibits are included in the discount ticket prices offered that week, so check with each museum before heading over.

If you are a fan of artistic achievements, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the place to visit, especially as it offers a $1 discount off adult general admission during Museum Week. According to their official Web site, it is one of the biggest museums in the United States.

The museum showcases artwork from a variety of time periods, styles, and countries. The exhibit titled "Cezanne and Beyond" has been featured since Feb. 26 and will continue until May 31. This exhibit showcases paintings, watercolors, and drawings created by Cezanne, as well as by other artists inspired by him.

Diana Collazo, '09, believes that the Philadelphia Museum of Art is worth visiting.

"It has a good selection of arts from classical periods to modern," said Collazo. "And the exhibits they have are always exciting and unique."

For those interested in science and technology, the Franklin Institute is a must see, since its $2 off Sci-Pass admission for up to five guests is being offered. This museum offers an array of options that deal with science and technology, including exhibits and theater shows.

The museum is currently featuring "Galileo: the Medici and the Age of Astronomy." The exhibit will showcase one of the two remaining Galileo telescopes. It's the first time the telescope has left Italy, and it will surely attract many tourists.

The exhibit also presents items that demonstrate Galileo's accomplishments in the science world, including objects that belonged to Galileo. It will also display works from the Medici collection.

The Fabric Workshop and Museum is the only non-profit arts organization in the United States devoted to creating new work in new materials and new media in collaboration with emerging, and nationally and internationally recognized artists, according to the official Web site.

Not only does this museum showcase completed works by contemporary artists, but it also displays pieces of art in progress by their Artists in Residence. The Artist in Residence program allows contemporary artists to work on the grounds of the museum, where they work collaboratively with staff in order to learn about new techniques, materials, and resources that are available for their creations.

Visitors who pay the admission fee can receive 10 percent off their purchase in the museum store.

Elise Baker, '10, has visited the Fabric Workshop and Museum and found it to be a noteworthy place.

"I thought it was a very interesting place," said Baker. "From my understanding it is the only one of its kind in the country."

The Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians in Philadelphia deals with the medical field and human anatomy. Some original displays include the preserved body of the soap lady, the cancerous growth that was removed from President Grover Cleveland, and the tallest skeleton on display in North America.

In honor of Museum Week, visitors can receive $2 off of general admission.

Baker has also visited the Mütter Museum and describes it as an original and intriguing place.

"The Mütter Museum has a lot of odd medical specimens that you would not even know are possible," said Baker. "It is not everyday that you can see a body that decomposed into soap, or two headed organisms."

Both Baker and Collazo believe that Museum Week will provide people in the area with great opportunities to experience the museums in the area.