Insider Tour: Clyfford Still Museum

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Tickets on sale to Members Friday August 16 at 4pm MT. Tickets on sale to General Public Friday August 30 at 4pm MT.

About the tour: Most people visit the Clyfford Still Museum to see the large-scale abstract work of our namesake artist, but the award-winning architecture is another reason to visit. Tour the building with museum educator Kenda Keenan as we explore the architectural details of this space specifically designed to display the collection at CSM. Experience how the building design impacts our interaction with the artwork, and leave with a unique souvenir!

About the building: Clyfford Still is considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century and belonged to the first generation of abstract expressionist artists who developed a powerful and innovative approach to painting following World War II. The Clyfford Still Museum, which opened in 2011, was founded to promote public and scholarly understanding of the late artist’s work through the preservation and presentation of the collection, which includes more than 93% of his total output as well as his personal archive. The museum is a ribbed, cast-in-place concrete building with strategically placed wooden elements and windows that bring rhythm to the exterior and a focused infusion of light to the interior. The quality of light, not just within the galleries but throughout the building, is the essential characteristic of the design. The elegant 28,000-square-foot structure features an upper cantilevered level of 10,000 square feet of gallery space dedicated to rotating exhibitions of Clyfford Still’s work.

About the tour guide: Kenda Keenan (she/her/hers) is the Tour and Program Specialist at the Clyfford Still Museum. She has been with the museum’s Learning and Engagement team since 2017, where she has had the opportunity to interact with a variety of visitors of all ages by facilitating workshops and talks, as well as experiences with community groups, school groups, and others. She is passionate about accessible programming at the Museum, access to the arts, and the ways that art can be an integral part of personal well-being. Kenda holds a BA in Art History. from Colorado State University and an MA in Art History with a Museum Studies Concentration from the University of Denver.

Accessibility: The front door has an ADA push button to open the doors and is accessible by stairs or a ramp. An elevator provides access to the second floor. There are some benches upstairs, and gallery stools are available for use anywhere in the building.