Museum Madness

The British guy who willed the money that would be used to open the Smithsonian Institution in 1835 decreed it to be “an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” Today women and children are now included, and plenty of knowledge is available at the famed D.C. site -- it has 19 museums and major research and outreach programs. The institution has also spawned its famous eponymous magazine, which is on the diffusion mission with the third annual Smithsonian Museum Day. During the national event, a pass allows the masses to enter a number of proximate museums for free.

This year’s batch of local participants includes the Design District’s Artformz Alternative, downtown’s Miami Art Museum (celebrating its 10th anniversary), Miami Beach’s World Erotic Art Museum and Bass Museum of Art, and the Lowe Art Museum in Coral Gables. The pass is in the September issue of Smithsonian and is printable online at www.smithsonian.com/museumdaycard. Visit the Website for complete event locations, as well as information about participating museums throughout the nation.
Sat., Sept. 29, 2007