BUFFALO, N.Y.—Study a painting by Van Gogh, learn what inspires popular landscape painter Thomas Paquette, step into a re-creation of the late NBC newsman Tim Russert’s office, and participate in a class on the use of portable devices to promote art —all for free!
M&T Bank today announced the fifth season of the ‘M&T Free Fridays’ program, offering free admission once a month to four of the popular Western New York arts, cultural and historical institutions:
• Albright-Knox Art Gallery (First Friday)
• Burchfield Penney Art Center (Second Friday)
• The Buffalo History Museum (Third Friday)
• Buffalo Arts Studio (Fourth Friday)
“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.”
Beginning in 2011 with Albright-Knox, the program has grown to include the Burchfield Penney Art Center in 2012, and the Buffalo History Museum and the Buffalo Arts Studio in 2013. More than 30,000 visitors enjoyed the ‘Free Fridays’ program in 2014.
“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.
About M&T
M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y. M&T’s principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, operates banking offices in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia. Trust-related services are provided by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank.
©2015 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.
Media Contact:
Julia Shanahan
(716) 842-5385
jshanahan@mtb.com