By Mindy Wilson, public relations and marketing director, Utah Museum of Fine Arts

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts kicks off its 2016 remodeling project with a celebratory weekend of free admission to the galleries and the museum’s most popular art experiences.

The Long Live Art! Kickoff Party—from 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, Jan. 16, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17 — is the public’s last opportunity to visit the museum before it pauses its exhibition program. The UMFA will temporarily close Monday, Jan.18 to upgrade the vapor barrier system in the Marcia and John Price Museum Building and to reinvent permanent exhibitions. The anticipated reopening is spring 2017.

Long Live Art! weekend events include behind-the-scenes tours, “Troublemakers: The Story of Land Art” film screening, performances by the Department of Modern Dance, yoga, Third Saturday for Families art-making, food trucks and an I ♥ Retro Dance Party. Admission to the museum galleries and all activities are free both days.

Schedule of events

Saturday, Jan. 16

11a.m.                       Behind the Scenes: Caring for the Collection tour

11 a.m.-6 p.m.             Food trucks: Cupbop and Saturday’s Waffles

12 p.m.                        Curator’s Pick gallery talk

12:30 p.m.                   Curator’s Pick gallery talk

1-4 p.m.                       Third Saturday for Families: Scarabs

2 p.m.                          Behind the Scenes: Caring for the Collection tour

4 p.m.                          Behind the Scenes: Caring for the Collection tour

5 p.m.                          SENSEsational: Accessing Art through the Senses tour

6 p.m.                          U of U modern dance performances in the Great Hall

7-8:30 p.m.                  “Troublemakers: The Story of Land Art” film screening

8:30 p.m.–midnight      I ♥ Retro Dance Party with DJ Lishus

Sunday, Jan. 17

11 a.m.                        Music in the Galleries

12 p.m.                        Yoga

1 p.m.                          Curator’s Pick gallery talk

1:30 p.m.                     Curator’s Pick gallery talk

2 p.m.                          U of U modern dance performances in the Great Hall

3-4:30 p.m.                  “The Painting” film screening

Tours are limited and are first come, first served.

While closed, the UMFA will continue to host its popular Third Saturday for Families and educational outreach programs. The museum will also launch “ARTLandish: Land Art, Landscape, and the Environment,” a new series of lectures, films and other programs, in collaboration with the College of Fine Arts, J. Willard Marriott Library and the Salt Lake City Public Library.

Click here for additional information about the UMFA’s remodeling project and temporary closure.