Next week the Contemporary will host two events, one to celebrate the holidays, and the other to explore the topic of curiosity and how it relates to a child’s desire for learning. Holiday Open House will take place on Thursday, December 10 from 6:00 – 9:00. There will be light bites and drinks, a chance to walk through the exhibition, For the blind man… and shopping! MUSE gift shop will offer a 25% discount to everyone and a 35% discount to members on all purchases (even sale items!). There will also be an art and craft sale throughout the evening, making for plenty of chances to purchase unique, handmade gifts. Two days later, on Saturday, December 12, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 – 3:00 pm, the Contemporary will host Curiosity and Knowledge: the Heart of Learning. This is an event facilitated by The St. Michael School of Clayton, a Reggio-inspired school for preprimary and elementary age children with interactive educational activities for children, adults, and educators. At 2:30 pm, Chief Curator Anthony Huberman and Co-founder of the Cadwell Collaborative Louise Cadwell will end the day with a reflection about “curiosity and knowledge.”

Thanksgiving has passed, so now it is time to really get series about holiday gift giving! Most people don’t think about turning to art museums for wonderful gift ideas, so here is your chance to get in on the secret. MUSE gift shop, at the Contemporary, has many items on sale around the holidays. There is always something fun and unique on the shelves in MUSE. You can also give the gift of museum membership. This is truly a unique gift because recipients will receive membership benefits for an entire year AND the money you spend to purchase the gift goes towards supporting a cultural institution!

Another important gift you could make this holiday season is to New Art in the Neighborhood (NAN) students. This year, the Contemporary is focusing on raising funds for this important educational program. NAN is a pre-professional, scholarship-based program for high school students wishing to gain exposure and experience in the arts. The students spend each Saturday afternoon for a semester at the Contemporary creating and learning about art from museum staff, artists, and each other. One of the things that these students lack in their classroom is technology. In order to create and store artwork and portfolios, students need access to computers, printers, cameras, and more. You can make a difference in the lives of these teens by making a gift! Click here for more information and here to donate now.

The annual Muse Holiday Sale kicked off last week. What a great opportunity to get gifts for all of my family and friends. The sale continues through the holidays, but we’re offering different specials and discounts throughout the season. As a non-profit organization we are tax exempt, so the price you see is the price you pay! Right now we are taking 15% off your entire in-store purchase and we have some sale items that are additionally marked down to boot. Here are just a couple of my current faves:

The Vinotagz are silicone stem markers which can also double as napkin rings. The case is designed to sit around the neck of a wine bottle.  They are perfect for anyone who entertains. Paired with a bottle of wine, they are sure to be a hit with my sister and friends.  $12

For the little ones in my life, I decided to endorse good oral hygiene and give them Otto the floss holder and Rondo his toothpaste cap friend. To avoid any confusion (and potential arguments!) they come in four different colors (blue, red, pink, and light blue). They sure make brushing fun!  $10.50-$14

I’ll be back with more of my favorite holiday gift ideas soon. In the meantime, you can browse Muse on our website.