Art After Dark

Art After Dark is super fun and a great way to see the Museum of Art at BYU. This museum is free to everyone so you can go whenever, but, once a semester, there is Art After Dark which is awesome! I had never been before until I went this past month, and it was super fun!

Art After Dark is basically when the museum is open later, plus additional activities.

Typically, the museum is pretty empty and exhibits are being built or new exhibits are being brought in, and so it is difficult to see the entire museum if you go during the day. It can also be found with students studying around the museum or enjoying lunch at the café upstairs. Either way, Art After Dark is when everything and all exhibits are open.

This museum is really big! There are 3 levels with several subsections and hidden rooms. It is so big, I didn’t get to see the entire museum and I was there for over two hours! The main entrance faces Heritage Halls and you are welcomed by giant sculptures and statues.

The gift shop is on the right hand side and is full of fun things to remember your visit to the museum. On the left, there are some fun coaches to sit on and some pianos which are open to play at any time. I believe the rooms on this side are also for conferences and classes, but I have never actually been inside it. Then you approach the main part of the museum which is where the majority of people will be. Perhaps the coolest thing about this museum, is the yarn structure which hangs from the ceiling in the form of a rainbow. When the sun sets, the entire museum is filled with rainbows! Its super cool. At this particular event, music majors from BYU will perform and Magleby’s chocolate cake is free to eat! Even if you are not an art person, come for the delicious free cake!

Towards the back of the main area, you will see the first exhibit. This exhibit was unique because it took almost a week to get set up, and you feel like you are walking through a forest. Its really cool, and fun to play hide and seek in.

There are a few hidden rooms behind this main part which have more sculptures and paintings of the earth and cracks. The last part of the main floor has some yarn work that is interesting as well. The MOA is really good about having art of the time being displayed with live artists there to showcase their works. The bottom floor is filled with older exhibits that are moving out as well as some photography contests occasionally.

The upper floor has a delicious café to enjoy really good food at a reasonable price. I definitely recommend coming to the museum during an Art After Dark event for the free food and the live entertainment!