In order to provide cultural access to the community across the board, M&T Charitable Foundation funds Free Fridays, which allows free admission to four local cultural and historical institutions once a month.
• Albright-Knox Art Gallery (First Friday)
• Burchfield Penney Art Center (Second Friday)
• The Buffalo History Museum (Third Friday)
• Buffalo Arts Studio (Fourth Friday)
This is the fifth season that this arts access funding has been made available, and in turn more that 30,000 visitors, in 2014 alone, have taken advantage of the endeavor.
“M&T has long believed that everyone deserves access to the arts,” said Shelley C. Drake, President of the M&T Charitable Foundation. “Part of that access comes through programs like Free Fridays. It also comes from sponsorships and other support that makes enjoying the arts possible for our entire community. Buffalo has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and we hope residents and visitors alike join us for another year of special programming, extended hours and free admission.”
The incentive first came about with free access dates to the Albright-Knox in 2011. Each year the program has grown to encompass four of this city’s most renowned cultural institutions.
“The M&T Free Fridays program helps us ensure the museum is accessible to all by enabling us to offer everything from art classes, tours, evening lectures, film screenings and musical performances for free,” said Albright-Knox Art Gallery Curator of Education Jessica DiPalma.
Burchfield Penney Art Center Director of Marketing and Communications Kathleen Heyworth added, “M&T Second Fridays help the museum grow audience and increase paid membership as well as broadening awareness of the Burchfield Penney throughout the region.”
“This been a game changer for The Buffalo History Museum,” acknowledged The Buffalo History Museum Executive Director Melissa Brown. “M&T assists our ongoing efforts to set forth diverse programs that attract new audiences, fostering new relationships that support the Museum’s wellbeing.”
“The support of M&T Fourth Friday allows Buffalo Arts Studio to not only expand our audience, but also our outreach through partnerships with other non-profit organizations and institutions of higher learning, building stronger ties with each other and our community at large,” shared Alma M. Carrillo, Executive Director of the Buffalo Arts Studio.
Free admission is available to everyone; no tickets or reservations are necessary. Members of the four sites continue to receive free or discounted admissions to special events. Hours for the 2015 Free Fridays program are as follows
• Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Burchfield Penney Art Center, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Buffalo History Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Buffalo Arts Studio, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.