Spring Break
Monday–Sunday, March 11–17, 2013
During Spring Break, visit the MFAH often to discover exciting activities, tours, and creativity for all ages! Need directions and parking info? Scroll down for some handy tips.
Fun for Families
The MFAH is a hub of Spring Break fun, with lots of ways for families to explore the museum together. In addition to the programs below, click here for a day-by-day list of activities.
► Family Resources
Stop by the KFEC (Kinder Foundation Education Center) for helpful tips from the friendly staff on making the most of your visit. For fun in the galleries, borrow one of the many different Family Packs; pick up a guide to cell-phone stops; and ask about the storybook checkout program.
► You’re the Artist!
Celebrate Your Creativity with a Week of Storytime & Studio
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday–Friday
► Reel Kids Films
The Last Flight of Petr Ginz 2 p.m. Tuesday
Best of the Fest 2 p.m. Thursday
► Sunday Family Zone & Studio
Standing Tall: Exploring an 8½-foot Sculpture by Nick Cave
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Events for Teens & Adults
There's something for everyone at the MFAH! Check the highlights below, and go to the daily calendar for details, updates, and more events.
► Lunch + Look
Guided tours at 1 p.m. and free general admission with your lunch receipt.
"Mirrors and Models" Tuesday
"Baroque Billiance" Wednesday
"Inspired by the Past" Thursday–Saturday
"The Silk Road" Sunday
► Music & Performances
Da Camera Presents “Diaghilev’s Paris" Wednesday at the MFAH
Artful Thursday: Parisian Salon Thursday at the MFAH
Houston Grand Opera Studio Friday at Rienzi
Da Camera Presents "Picasso & Stravinsky" Saturday at the MFAH
► Lectures, Tours & Seminars
"Which Yankees, Whose Traditions, and What Arts?" Tuesday at the MFAH
“Caveat Emptor” Fakes & Forgeries Wednesday at Bayou Bend
Princes & Paupers: The Art of Jacques Callot Thursday & Sat the MFAH
"The Three Faiths of Abraham" Friday & Saturday at the MFAH
"The Art of Jacques Callot" Saturday at the MFAH
"Spotlight on Abstract Art" Saturday at the MFAH
► The Great Outdoors
Flower Hour Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at Bayou Bend
Spring House & Gardens Days Saturday & Sunday at Bayou Bend & Rienzi
Breakfast Yoga Club Sunday at Rienzi
New for Teens: How to Look at Contemporary Art Tuesday at the MFAH
Sketching in the Galleries Wednesday at Rienzi
Hands-on Workshop "Picasso's Studio" Saturday at the MFAH
Exhibitions on View
Explore the galleries to see art from all around the world! In addition to the highlights below, click for a full list of exhibitions. Entry included with general admission, except where noted.
• The Abstract Impulse
• Arts of Islamic Lands
• Eye on Houston
• Lost Treasure of the Jewish Ghetto of Venice
• Picasso Black and White*
• Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado*
• Princes & Paupers: The Art of Jacques Callot
*Combo Packs
Visit the two ticketed exhibitions—Picasso and Prado—at a discount! Click here for more info.
MFAH Films
Take in a movie on the big screen! MFAH Films presents the best in cinema year-round, from classic films to the latest new releases. On tap during Spring Break:
Houston Jewish Film Festival
The Last Flight of Petr Ginz 2 p.m. Tuesday
A Bottle in the Gaza Sea 6 p.m. Saturday
Life in Stills 8 p.m. Saturday
Premiere
56 Up 7 p.m. Friday & 5 p.m. Sunday
Special Presentation
The Mystery of Picasso 1 p.m. Saturday
Dining
Fuel your museum outing at Cafe Express. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the café is the perfect place to enjoy freshly prepared food in an artistic setting.
At lunchtime, visit a curated selection of Houston's finest food trucks, parked adjacent to Cullen Sculpture Garden.
Present your lunch receipt from Cafe Express or a participating food truck at any museum admissions desk and receive free same-day general admission between 12 noon and 2 p.m. Enter the museum during those hours, and stay as long as you wish, until closing time.
Visiting for Free
Admission is always free to Cullen Sculpture Garden, open every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
On Thursdays, museum general admission is free for everyone, courtesy of Shell. Plus, the museum is open late, until 9 p.m. For more information on museum admission, click here.
Directions and Parking Tips
The MFAH, located in the heart of the Houston Museum District, is one of Houston’s most popular Spring Break destinations. To make your visit more enjoyable, plan ahead and allow plenty of time for parking—especially on Thursday, when MFAH general admission is free; and on weekends, when children are admitted free by showing their library card from any Texas public library.
For additional traffic tips from the City of Houston, click here.
► Ride the Rail
METRORail offers convenient, frequent stops throughout the Museum District, including on Fannin Street next to the MFAH Beck Building.
► Suggested Driving Directions to the Museum District
Traveling from TX-288 S – Exit Southmore St. / Calumet St. / Binz St. and take Southmore or Binz west
Traveling from TX-288 N – Exit Binz St. / Calumet St. and take Binz west
Traveling from I-610 E – Merge onto TX-288 N and exit Binz St. / Calumet St. and take Binz west
Traveling from US-59 N – Exit Main St. and proceed south / merge onto TX-288 S and exit Southmore St. / Calumet St. / Binz St. and take Southmore or Binz west
Traveling from US-59 S – Exit Fannin St. and proceed south / merge onto TX-288 S and exit Southmore St. / Calumet St. / Binz St. and take Southmore or Binz west
► MFAH Outdoor Parking
Free parking is available in the street-level lot directly across from the Law Building at 1001 Bissonnet.
► MFAH Parking Garage
$6 all day with proof of museum admission
$3 for MFAH Members at the Patron level & above
Click here for more information.
► Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Free parking is available.
► Rienzi
Limited free parking is available; please reserve a space when making tour reservations.